Do These Things Now For Your Best Christmas Tree Ever in Minnesota

Even though the holiday season is a few days shorter in Minnesota this year, if you're going to be decorating a real Christmas tree, do these five things now to ensure it'll be one of your best trees ever.

Thanks to a weird quirk of the calendar here in 2024, our holiday season in the Land of 10,000 Lakes and across the country is around five days shorter this year compared to a year ago. Thanksgiving this year, on November 28th, is the latest date it will ever occur and is five full days later than last year when it was observed on November 23rd.

While many Minnesotans wait until Thanksgiving to decorate for the holidays, some have already hauled out the holly and are already into the most wonderful time of the year here in Minnesota. This can present some challenges, especially if you'll be decorating your home with a 'real' Christmas tree.

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At our place, my wife and I always get a real tree for Christmas each year. We love the real pine smell they add to the house each season. And if you're getting a real tree, too, here are five things the Minnesota Christmas Tree Association says you should do to make sure your tree doesn't turn into the Charlie Brown-type brown and shriveled tree by the time December 25th rolls around.

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Five Important Tips To Help Keep Your Christmas Tree Green Throughout the Holiday Season in Minnesota

1) Make a fresh cut. - Before you bring the tree inside, re-cut the trunk at least one inch from the bottom just before putting it in the stand. Even if you just cut it on a choose-and-cut farm, this re-opens the tree stem so it can drink water.

2) Choose a spot in your house away from heat sources. Even your TV or computer can generate heat that real trees don't like!

3) Water immediately. You'll want to use warm water initially, too, and use a stand that can hold around a gallon of water.

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4) Don't add anything to the water. There's an old wives tale out there that says it's better if you add sugar, but research has found trees prefer plain 'ol tap water better.

5) Check the water daily. If the water level drops below the fresh cut, the stem will reseal and be unable to drink. It's not unusual for a tree to drink 2 gallons of water the first day it is the stand.

And while not all Minnesotans will have a real Christmas tree this year, there's a much better chance that you'll experience the full-on, honest-to-goodness Minnesota Goodbye at one of your holiday celebrations this season. Can you recognize all 9 official stages? Keep scrolling to find out!

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