Christmas fans stunned after discovering clever hack to make tree look fuller, and it won’t cost you a penny
WITH the festive season now officially here, people across the country have already excitedly put up their Christmas decorations.
According to tradition, Christmas trees shouldn’t be put up until the beginning of Advent, which starts on the fourth Sunday before December 25.
This year, Advent began over the weekend – December 1.
But if you’re still to hunt your tree out of the loft or hall cupboard then we’ve got a clever hack to make it look better than ever.
A savvy Christmas fan left social media users stunned on Saturday after revealing her very simple trick that gives her artifical tree a fuller look.
Posting on the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, which boasts 2.6million members, Sandra said: “The lower third of my tree, I move the branches over to the front.
“This helps me place the tree closer to the wall and always makes the tree look fuller.
“Not a bargain just a hack. I’ve done this for a few years now.”
Sharing a before and after picture of the tree, Sandra’s tree looks immediately fuller with no gaps visible between the branches.
Her post quickly racked up almost 1,000 likes with other Christmas fanatics revealing they also use the same trick.
“I always do this, it saves some space”, gushed one.
A second wrote: “Yes I do this. It works a treat.”
A third added: “I do this. I then use the left over branches to make an arrangement for my TV unit.”
And a fourth chimed in: “This is what I always do but mine starts to lean forward from the weight of the braches at the front, so I use a kettle bell to anchor it down.”
Others, meanwhile, were shocked that this is the first they’ve heard of the festive hack.
One person exclaimed: “Why have I never thought of this? Thank you.”
Someone else echoed: “Omg how did everyone else know about this and I didn’t thank you.”
Another said: “I didn’t know you could do this but glad I saw this post when I did because I am just getting my tree out. Thank you.”
A fourth gushed: “Thank you I was having a fight with my tree and wall this morning so I will be doing this later.”
“This is such a good idea and one I’ll definitely be trying once ours is out tomorrow”, added a fifth.
And a sixth wrote: “Never thought of that will try it this year, thanks for tip.”
Things to consider when choosing where to put your Christmas tree
Before you head out to find the perfect tree for the season, there are some things to consider, the experts at Christmas Tree World reminded.
- Visibility: The tree should be placed where it can be enjoyed, whether from the sofa in the living room or while hosting dinner. Think about the room’s layout and how much of the tree will be visible from various angles.
- Foot traffic: Consider people’s movement. Make sure your tree isn’t blocking doorways, hallways, or areas with high foot traffic.
- Heat sources: Avoid placing your Christmas tree near heat sources like radiators or fireplaces. Not only can this pose a safety hazard, but it can also dry out the tree, affecting both real and artificial Christmas trees over time.
- Furniture: Consider the layout of your furniture. You don’t want to overcrowd the room, so ensure there’s still enough space to move around once the tree is up.
- Power source: If you’re going to hang lights on your tree, or you’ve chosen a pre-lit Christmas tree, with its own lights built in, make sure it’s near an outlet to avoid unsightly extension cords or tripping hazards.
How to look after your real Christmas tree
HERE'S what you need to know if you're buying a real Christmas tree:
First thing’s first: buy a pot (if it doesn’t come in one already).
You’ll need to treat your tree just like a houseplant and give it water and attention.
Make sure the container has good drainage – and it’s a good idea to put something underneath to catch the excess water.
Check the soil everyday to make sure it’s not drying out.
If it feels dry, give it some water. If it still feels moist, leave it alone as too much water can also kill a tree.
Also check the LED bulbs on your tree lights aren’t too hot as they could burn it, and keep your tree away from radiators.
When Christmas is over, try planting it in the garden so you can dig it up and use it again next year.
It’s a good idea to take it out of its pot when you do re-plant it though, as large trees don’t survive well in pots as their roots need space to grow.