How to Place Christmas Trees Over Hardwood Floors
They say that memory lives in our sense of smell, and few things conjure up magic more quickly then the scent of a fresh, green Christmas tree. And nothing brings faster tears than water damage, sap stains, or deep scratches on a well-loved hardwood floor. No need for bah-humbug. It's not hard to place a Christmas tree over hardwood floors. Just follow the simple steps below and you'll be singing carols in no time. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Two people (preferably)
- Bath mat or welcome mat
- Extra large trash bag
- Clean, old sheet
- Plastic tablecloth
- Shears
- Broom and dustpan or vacuum cleaner
- Plastic pitcher or watering can
- Optional:
- Red or Christmas-themed tablecloth
- Large tree skirt
Instructions
-
Assembly
-
1
Assemble an artificial tree on a blanket spread on the floor to guard against accidental scratches while you put it together. Set the tree on a folded sheet or decorative tree skirt to protect the floor from the stand.
-
2
Fold an old sheet into quarters and place it where you want your real tree to go. Cut or fold a plastic tablecloth to fit the square of sheet, and place the Christmas tree stand on top of it. Have this prepared before you bring the tree home.
-
-
3
Shake your Christmas tree gently before bringing it into the house. Comb your fingers through the needles to dislodge any loose ones. If it is wrapped in netting, or tied up with twine, do not remove--leave it wrapped or tied and just gently shake it once or twice.
-
4
Put the base of the tree into the extra large trash bag and pull the sides of the bag up as far over the branches as it will go.
-
5
Set the bath mat rubber side up just inside of your front door, and set the base of the tree on it. Use the bath mat to slide the tree though the house. This will dislodge less needles and eliminate the risk of dropping it.
-
6
Use the shears to cut away the plastic bag, and set the tree into the stand. Tighten the braces, if any.
-
7
Cut away the netting or twine, if any. If the tree needs to be turned, have one person hold it steady while the other one pulls the folded sheet to turn it. This way you will not scratch the floor.
-
8
Use the plastic pitcher or watering can to fill the base with water.
-
9
You can bunch the sheet and plastic table cloth up a bit and put a red tablecloth or decorative tree skirt on top, a few inches out from the tree stand.
-
10
To remove the tree, siphon the water out of the stand, and drag the entire setup (tree and stand) on the sheet and tablecloth to the front door.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If the tree has to go up or down stairs, wrap the entire thing in sheets or tablecloths and pin them closed to avoid tree sap dripping onto your hardwood floors.
Always put a waterproof barrier between the tree stand and the floor.
