-
YARD AND GARDEN: Some real information about artificial Christmas Trees | Home & Garden
Master Gardener Darla Chouinard talks about the history of the Christmas tree. Christmastime. It is one of the busiest times of the year! At our Youth Gardening home school workshops last week we read the book “Maple Syrup Season” by Ann Purmell and talked about maple syrup is in a plant part category of its own. We often discuss the six plant parts we eat and it was interesting to make a whole new category, tree sap. We also made festive decorations from gourds and wooden ornament birdhouses that were generously donated to us. We painted the small gourds to look like snowmen. It’s always amazing to see the creativity…
-
Beware of Christmas fire hazards
NFPA urges added caution this holiday season, as Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for U.S. home fires. Many hallmarks of the holiday season, including Christmas trees, holiday decorations, cooking and baking, present potential fire hazards that contribute to an annual increase in U.S. home fires during the winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for home fires (topped only by Thanksgiving Day). “December is a leading month for home fires, in large part because many of the activities we engage in during the holiday season reflect leading causes…
-
How Christmas decorations cause house fires: What to know
Between 2015 and 2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 790 home fires per year that started with holiday decorations, according to a report from the National Fire Protection Association, a leading fire resource. Fires caused by holiday decorations, excluding Christmas trees, resulted in an annual average of one death, 26 fire injuries and $13 million in direct property damage. More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source, according to the report. The most common cause of holiday decoration fires: candles. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, December is the peak month for…
-
Master Gardener: Tips for selecting a live Christmas tree | Home & Garden
If you decided to select a pre-cut tree, pick one of the freshest you can find. Fresh needles bend easily. When the trees have dried out, their needles will snap. Once you have your tree home, it’s a good idea to saw off about one inch from the bottom of the tree. After doing this, place the tree in a container of water. If it will be a few days before you bring it in to decorate, store it in a cool place such as your garage. When you do bring it inside, be sure you place the tree in a stand that will hold some water. Keeping your tree…
-
See how the Bidens have decorated for their 1st White House Christmas : NPR
A Christmas tree stands in the Red Room during a press preview of White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images A Christmas tree stands in the Red Room during a press preview of White House holiday decorations on Nov. 29. Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images For their first Christmas in the White House, the Biden family will celebrate with the theme of “gifts from the heart” for their holiday decor. In unveiling the theme on Monday, President Biden and first lady Jill Biden explained: “The things we hold sacred unite us and transcend distance, time, and…
-
Christmas decor shopping guide: How to find the right decorations for you | Home & Garden
Here are four tips for avoiding the hazards of holiday decorating. Even though Christmas has been celebrated for centuries, you’re not restricted to decorating in the classic style — unless that’s the style you prefer. You could use modern Christmas home decor with sleek, clean lines and a pared-down design. Rustic is another option; think simple, distressed pieces in soft, neutral colors. A quirky design scheme uses memorable items that have a unique flair, and a humorous style incorporates funny elements into the decor scheme. If you have children, you might want to tailor your Christmas home decor to them, making…
