BUYING GUIDES..since 1995
|
GALT HOME:
Internet Guides - Finance - Audio/Video - Travel - Household/DIY - Health - Cars - Fashion - Sports - Entertainment - Cell Phones |
| MENU: Technology and Internet Guides | Travel | Health | Household | Sports ...independent online guides since 1995 |
Christmas TreesChristmas trees have been a tradition in this country for over 150 years. Normally they were culled from the local forest and woods, but in recent decades Christmas tree farms have supplied the bulk of trees (95%) to the 35 million people who buy them each holiday season. You can still find local places that let you cut your own Christmas tree, and some families relish this annual tradition (more than 10,000 cut your own tree lots exist). But the ease and selection of getting your tree from a Christmas tree lot wins out for most people. Oregon is the biggest producer of Christmas trees, with California, Washington, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Michigan making up the bulk of the remainder. The favorite types of trees are the Noble fir, Douglas Fir, and Scotch pine. On farms, trees are grown for about 6-10 years until they reach 6+ feet in height and are harvested and sent to market.
Advantages of Artificial Christmas TreesWhy buy an artificial Christmas tree? The main reason is convenience. No shopping for tree, no dragging a wet tree home, no cutting the base and trying to get it in the stand, no dropped needles all over the house, no worrying about watering the tree, no dragging out to the curb or dump. Let's face it, real trees can be a hassle. Artificial trees can also help families that have allergy problems. An artificial tree normally costs more upfront, but it will hopefully last you 5-10 years, so a $400 tree works out to $40-$80 per year. In some rural areas you can still get a cut your own tree for $20-$40, but most tree lost charge $50-$100 for real trees, which can really add up over the years. The biggest drawback to having an artifical Christmas tree is have to assemble it each year, take it apart, and then store it somewhere. They tend to be big and bulky, requiring several storage bins or tubs that take up space in your attic or basement. And putting one together can sometimes take and hour or two as you bend and unbend branches, trying to get it to look right after sitting in a box for a year. Most trees come apart in several main pieces -- the trunk is built out of 3 or 4 interlocking pieces that are pulled apart, then individual branches are placed in holders on the trunk pieces. The branches come in graduated sizes, smaller at top, bigger at the bottom, so you need to match the right color or number codes to put them in the right place. The other bad point is the missing smell of fresh cut pine and pine needles. You can try to make up for this with pine scented candles or air spray, but it just isn't the same. And you miss out on taking the family to the mountains or tree lot in search of that perfect family tree. Ultimately, it is a balance of cost and convenience over tradition - choose what works best for your family, and enjoy the holidays!
Do you have a quality site or product that belongs in this guide? We are always happy to evaluate or review new products and websites. Feel free to contact us at the email address below and let us know about you. If you have a demo product you'd like us to look at, please contact us before sending anything. Thank you.
Send email to: galtemail (@) yahoo.com
|
.