Things You'll Need:
- Tree
- Ornaments
- Family
- Tree Stand
- Tree skirt
- Star or Angel topper
- Optional train set
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Step 1
Decide when you want to set up your Christmas tree. Our family does it after Thanksgiving dinner because we are all already together. You may want to plan on doing it December 1st to get the month started off with the Christmas spirit.
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Step 2
Buy a Christmas tree from a nearby nursery or use a fake tree. I have gone with both methods and it really depends on your household situation. If you have a toddler, the real trees tend to lose a lot of needles that the toddler can pick up and poke themselves with.
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Step 3
Gather the family together. It is important that the family all participate in setting up the Christmas tree. The family can bond and spend time being thankful for each other.
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Step 4
Pick a location for the Christmas tree and set up a tree stand. Then place the tree in the stand and secure it with the bolts on all three sides.
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Step 5
Put some Christmas music on while you decorate your tree. This too helps to get you in the Christmas spirit. Each year my girls request that I play the Chipmunks Christmas CD which my Dad played for me when I was a little girl. Any Christmas CD will do, however.
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Step 6
Test your lights and if they work twirl them around your tree. If you are going to use garland as well then put that on second. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
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Step 7
Get your ornaments out of the attic and take turns putting them on the tree. Discuss the history of each. Some may be home made treasures from your children and some may be family heirlooms. Others you may have picked up on a family vacation.
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Step 8
Put your angel or star on the top of the Christmas tree. It is a great tradition to either have the head of the household do this or the youngest member of the household. You can make up your own tradition too.
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Step 9
Sit back and admire your Christmas tree over a cup of hot cocoa.
