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.
