Barbara Costello shared the video on her TikTok account @brunchwithbabs, where it amassed nearly two million views. Costello’s account is full of recipes and advice for other occasions, and her tips on how to maintain a healthy tree throughout the holiday season delighted viewers.
“How to ensure you have the perfect Christmas tree every year,” read the caption of her video.
According to the National Christmas Tree Association, between 25 and 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year. North American real Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, as well as in Canada.
In the United States, 350,000 acres are dedicated to growing these trees, and there are nearly 15,000 farms that grow Christmas trees.
The states that produce the most Christmas trees are Oregon, North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Washington.
In her video, Costello advised that people prep the space where the tree will be displayed.
She said people should measure the space and that the tree should be between a foot and a foot and a half shorter than the ceiling.
“Don’t forget to put down a plastic tablecloth,” Costello said. “Your tree will sit on this, it will absorb any spills.”
Shoppers should also be mindful of what kind of tree they decide to buy as it can be a more personal choice. Some things that a person may consider include how often a tree sheds its needles, how sturdy the branches are and the smell of it.
Cutting a small piece from the bottom of the tree trunk just before it is put up will help ensure the tree can drink the water from the base.
“Even if you cut your own tree down, by the time you get home, that sap could have already closed that trunk,” Costello said. “Your tree will not be able to drink.”
Rather than throwing the freshly cut piece of wood, she said it can be decorated and used as an ornament.
To make the installation process even easier, Costello said to put the tree stand on outside before bringing it indoors.
“Who wants to have the hassle of crawling under all those branches, trying to get the tree straight?” she asked.
End-of-the-season cleanup is made easy by taking a disposable tree bag, folding it in half and cutting the corners. The bag is then placed at the base of the tree, which is hidden by a tree skirt.
When it’s time to get rid of the tree, all that is left is to pull up the bag from the bottom of the tree, which will cut down on any mess.
Viewers flocked to the comments section to share their appreciation for the tips.
“Bless this woman who doesn’t [gatekeep] knowledge,” a viewer commented.
“Put it in the base outside!!???!! Why have I never thought of this,” another TikTok user wrote.
“The bag idea is genius,” one viewer wrote.
Costello is not the only one who shared insight into Christmas trees.
Newsweek previously reported on some of the best practices for how someone can decorate their Christmas tree. Experts have also weighed in on the best time to put up Christmas trees and decorations.
But decorators and holiday delighters beware: one man shared a video showing how quickly a Christmas tree can catch fire.
