Thanksgiving dinner has been devoured, time was well spent with family and friends, but now we turn our attention to that magical holiday…Christmas. Many of us still enjoy the age-old tradition of picking out and maybe even cutting down our own Christmas tree. But how do you find the right one for your home? 

A great way to start (before tree hunting) is to determine your wants and needs. Is the space you’re planning to showcase your tree in small or large? Low ceilings or high? Do you enjoy vacuuming daily? Do you have pets? Is fragrance or color a factor? Once you’ve answered some of these questions, you’re ready to go out and find the perfect tree. Here’s some helpful hints (and my top 5 picks) to help you in your search! 

FRASER FIR

Widely heralded as “the perfect Christmas tree” the Fraser Fir does offer some nice holiday benefits. It is a relatively compact tree, so it works well for small rooms and apartments. Typically a classic green color, they look like a traditional Christmas tree we have all become familiar with over the years. And the soft needles make them ideal if you have young children or pets who may be tempted to get a little too close to the tree at times. 

BALSAM FIR 

If you long for that nostalgic “Christmas” smell, you’ll want a Balsam Fir. A small to average size tree, it works well in smaller homes and the scent is undeniably Christmas!

CONCOLOR FIR

Looking for a dreamy scent, but one of those few people who’s NOT a fan of Balsam? Try a Concolor Fir. The soft greenish/blue needles emit a citrus smell. The scents of oranges and lemons will be wafting through your home at the holidays!

SCOTCH PINE  (or SCOTS PINE)

Cathedral ceiling? Large office building? If you’re looking for height you may want to look for the popular Scotch Pine or Scots Pine. In the wild, these trees can grow up to 150 feet tall. Depending on the height of your space, you’ll probably want to look for an 8 - 10 year old tree. A bonus? The Scotch Pine tends to hold it’s needles well, so clean up is easy! 

BLUE SPRUCE

The name says it all with this pretty tree. Boasting bluish/silver needles, you won’t want to decorate too heavily, as you want to show off that gorgeous color! This tree tends to be full in shape and typically also has good needle retention.