10 tree-trimming tips

Hanging the ornaments
While there is no way to know the exact number of ornaments it will take to decorate your tree to perfection, Blackwell offers this ornament guide to help you get started:
• for a 6-foot tree use approximately 50 to 75 ornaments
• for a 7-foot tree use approximately 75 to 100 ornaments
• for an 8-foot tree use approximately 175 to 200 ornaments

When hanging, Blackwell says she and her elves usually start by placing the bigger ornaments throughout the tree, and then they use smaller ones to fill in any remaining holes. Items like ribbon and candy canes can also help to fill out your tree.

Another Snowman Factory tip, if you have heavier ornaments the best place for them is on sturdy, inner branches but you can also wire two branches together to create stronger support.

The finishing touch
Now that the decorating is done, all that's left to do is sweep up or vacuum any needles that have fallen from the tree and then add your tree skirt for that final finishing touch.

Tips for tree trimming with the kids:
1. Choosing your tree as a family can be a great holiday excursion. Just make sure that the kids understand what you are looking for in a tree so that they aren't disappointed if you don't get the biggest tree on the lot or in the store.

2. Make setting up the tree a "parents only" job and make the room a kid-free zone so that you can work more efficiently. You can keep the kids entertained by popping a holiday classic in the DVD player. This will help them to get into the Christmas spirit, and so will you when you hear favourite carols playing in the next room.

3. As long as the kids are still occupied with their movie, why not make untangling the lights a parents-only job, as well? Again, this can only help you to work faster and kids really aren't that interested in the lights until they are on the tree.