Weekly Tips for Christmas Preparation: Week 12

Tip #12: Do not water your artificial plants! :) But seriously, artificial decorations are extremely convenient, but do require a little maintenance. Make sure to change burned out bulbs promptly, pack carefully at the end of the season, and your trees will make your Holiday decorating easy for years to come!

Tip #11: When choosing an artificial tree, make sure to note the weight along with the dimensions: the heavier the tree the more material that went into assembling the tree. Buying online can be tricky, so make sure to contact the site with any questions! (YZ: 888-214-8715)

Tip #10: When hanging your holiday decorations use cable ties (a.k.a. zip ties) to hang them. Cable ties offer a faster and more secure way of attaching your lights, wreaths or garlands than twine or wire.

Tip #9: The stability of the tree relies on proper installation of the tree in the base. Make sure you can feel the point of the "trunk" from the bottom of the base.

Tip #8: The taller the tree the more lights you can display, but a circuit can only handle so many strands. 9' or taller prelit artificial trees are often designed to have two or more chords extending from their bases. Make sure to read your set up instructions carefully or you could blow a fuse!

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Need Help Setting Up Your Tree?

Here's a word from the manufacturer: Kurt Heckel with Border Concepts.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 11

Tip #11: When choosing an artificial tree, make sure to note the weight along with the dimensions: the heavier the tree the more material that went into assembling the tree. Buying online can be tricky, so make sure to contact the site with any questions! (YZ: 888-214-8715)

Tip #10: When hanging your holiday decorations use cable ties (a.k.a. zip ties) to hang them. Cable ties offer a faster and more secure way of attaching your lights, wreaths or garlands than twine or wire.

Tip #9: The stability of the tree relies on proper installation of the tree in the base. Make sure you can feel the point of the "trunk" from the bottom of the base.

Tip #8: The taller the tree the more lights you can display, but a circuit can only handle so many strands. 9' or taller prelit artificial trees are often designed to have two or more chords extending from their bases. Make sure to read your set up instructions carefully or you could blow a fuse!

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 10

Tip #10: When hanging your holiday decorations use cable ties (a.k.a. zip ties) to hang them. Cable ties offer a faster and more secure way of attaching your lights, wreaths or garlands than twine or wire.

Tip #9: The stability of the tree relies on proper installation of the tree in the base. Make sure you can feel the point of the "trunk" from the bottom of the base.

Tip #8: The taller the tree the more lights you can display, but a circuit can only handle so many strands. 9' or taller prelit artificial trees are often designed to have two or more chords extending from their bases. Make sure to read your set up instructions carefully or you could blow a fuse!

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 9

Tip #9: The stability of the tree relies on proper installation of the tree in the base. Make sure you can feel the point of the "trunk" from the bottom of the base.

Tip #8: The taller the tree the more lights you can display, but a circuit can only handle so many strands. 9' or taller prelit artificial trees are often designed to have two or more chords extending from their bases. Make sure to read your set up instructions carefully or you could blow a fuse!

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 8

Tip #8: The taller the tree the more lights you can display, but a circuit can only handle so many strands. 9' or taller prelit artificial trees are often designed to have two or more chords extending from their bases. Make sure to read your set up instructions carefully or you could blow a fuse!

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 7

Tip #7: Identify burned out or unlit bulbs early to avoid the voltage in the wire increasing and burning out additional lights more rapidly. Fixing problems early prevents problems compounding later.

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 6

Tip #6: For your outdoor lighting displays make the change to using LED light sets. LED light sets offer many benefits over traditional incandescent light sets. Colors are more vibrant, especially reds, blues and purples. They last longer, up to 10,000 hours, and are more durable - almost trouble free. While they require more of an investment, they will provide vibrant and trouble free enjoyment for many years.

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 5

Tip #5: Are you having a hard time untangling the decorations this year? To avoid tangled light sets, wrap them around a piece of cardboard at the end of the season when you take your lights down. Next year won't be so complicated.

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 4

Tip #4: When setting up your artificial Christmas tree that has the branches attached to hinges at the trunk, use a length of rope or a bungee cord to hold up the upper branches so that they are out of your way when shaping your tree.

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Discounted Trees: Visit YZ's Outlet

What better way to stretch a dollar than to purchase brand new trees in perfect condition that were simply a style from a previous year? YZ opened an online outlet for those looking to find a deal. Check out the sales on these artificial Christmas Trees here: http://stores.ebay.com/YardZooks-Home-Garden.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 3

Tip #3: The art of Christmas Tree "fluffing": unfolding branches during tree set up giving the tree its fullest appearance. Quality trees will have at least four branches. For best results, in relation to a compass, fold branches in each of the four major directs: North, East, South, and West. Start on the bottom layer and work your way up.

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 2

Tip #2: When setting up your new artificial Christmas Tree, set up the tree according to the instructions with the lights turned on. Taller trees might have two plugs extending from the tree, and setting them up incorrectly could blow a fuse.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Fall Will Pass Quickly: Weekly Tips for Preparation: Week 1

Fall has just begun but don't forget, the Holidays are approaching quickly. In the hustle and bustle, do not forget to prepare your Christmas Decor for one of those quickly passing weekends in November/December.

What happens to the time: children are back in school (parental taxi service begins again), cooler temperatures are starting to tease us at night, leaves are starting to accumulate on the lawn more rapidly, and let's not forget football season and tailgating preparations.

We've prepared a weekly checklist/tip sheet to make sure you're taking the right steps.

Tip #1: Take the time to pull out your Holiday lights and pre-lit decorations a few days before you plan to set them up. Addressing tangles, snares, and non-working lights prior to installation will save you time in the long run.

Let's Talk About Artificial Christmas Trees

The Holidays are approaching and the push to find the perfect Christmas Tree has begun (or will begin soon). As the Baby Boomer Generation matures, more and more consumers are opting for the convenience and reliability of Arificial Prelit Christmas Trees. Should you make the move? What distinguishes a quality tree? Where do you begin?

We'll take a quick look at what makes Artificial Christmas Trees advantageous, what comprises quality trees, and how to maximize the life of your tree/investment. Off we go!

Artificial Christmas Tree Advantages:

• Appearance: As technology has advanced artificial trees are almost indistinguishable for real trees, and the symmetry is almost always better.
• Cleanliness: No sweeping/vacuuming of needles or watering necessary.
• Convenience: Use the same tree for many years - just pack away at the end of the season.

Artificial Christmas Tree Qualities:

• Structure: Make sure the tree has a solid base and quality metal frame.
• Tip Count: Each tree box should list the amount of tips (artificial needles) on each tree - the fuller the better.
• Light Count: Purely stringing as many lights on a tree as possible does not improve the appearance - make sure the tree has a balanced appearance.
• Weight: Why does this matter? Simply put, "The more weight, the more material, the better the quality."

Artificial Christmas Tree Maintenance:

• Space/Volume: Make sure you pick a tree that properly fills your designated space.
• Fluffing: Make sure to "fluff" your tree when you set it up to give it the fullest look possible.
• Light Maintenance: Change the lights when they go out! Burnt out lights increase the wattage on the strand shortening the life of the other lights.
• Necessary Tools: Light Keeper Pro and similar tools help you find problemed lights and track electric current. Do not replace the entire strand - find the problem.

Do you have any questions, thoughts, or comments you would like to share? Please feel free to comment below!