Trees And Trimmings

By Veronica Torok and
Briehn Trumbauer

The month of December is
in full swing already, which can only mean two things—it’s time to hang the
holly and pick out this year’s award-winning tree. With these tips to help you decide
between a Douglas fir or a Scotch pine (you can do it) and where to find Big Apple-themed
ornaments, your family’s holiday centerpiece can be the best and brightest in
all of New York
City. —

IT’S ALL ABOUT
THE RIGHT TREE

BE SAFE: The perfect tree may add a touch of green
when the weather turns gray, but it can pose safety problems if not chosen
wisely. Make sure you deck the halls safely by choosing the freshest tree
you can find, reducing your tree’s risk of catching fire and making your home
smell even lovelier. A fresh tree
means a moist, less flammable tree, so the New York
City Fire Department advises city dwellers to buy trees early, as tree lots often receive only one
shipment. Trees should be watered daily, and “even
a well-watered tree should be taken down after four weeks,” says Lorraine
Carli, Vice President of Communications at the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). If your family prefers an artificial
tree, check for one labeled “fire-retardant.” But whatever type of tree you choose
be sure to unplug the Christmas lights at night. Additionally, have your family
practice safe decorating by holding ladders when in use and placing small ornaments
that could present a choking hazard to little ones (or pets!) on sturdy
branches at the top of the tree.

CHOOSE YOUR
TYPE: When shopping the lot, look for a tree devoid of brown needles,
and try shaking the tree gently to make sure it isn’t dropping green ones, a
tall tale sign of sickness. Consider size, shape and the kind of ornaments you
intend to hang on the branches. If you enjoy a strong pine aroma or have
many heavy or breakable family heirlooms to hang, consider buying a sturdy fir.
Douglas firs, full pyramid-shaped trees with blue
to dark green needles, and
fragrant Fraser firs, with deep green and silvery needles, are traditional
choices. Firs tend to hold up ornaments well with their stiff branches, but
pines are also popular for their glossy clusters of needles. According to the
National Christmas Tree Association, the sturdy,
conical Scotch pine is the most common Christmas tree in U.S. homes, as
it tends to retain its needles and stay fresh throughout the holiday season.
For an alternative, try the longer-needled white pine, a species native to New York. Remember
to measure the spot for your Christmas tree before beginning your family’s
search. You don’t want to end up with a tree that is too small or one that
fills up your entire living room on accident!

MAKE THE
PURCHASE: If your family decides on a real tree this year, you have
several different buying options. A
number of city Christmas tree services let customers order trees online,
after which the service delivers your tree right to your home. For a
hassle-free set-up, try Tyler’s Trees, which sells Fraser firs starting at
$99 and installs them with a complimentary stand and tree skirt. For those who
prefer to pick out their trees in person, lots like Greenpoint Tree Farm LLC
(locations in Brooklyn and Queens) and SoHo Trees (11 Manhattan locations)
around the city offer different varieties of greenery as well as delivery
services of their own. Any one of the numerous nearby farms that allows
families to choose and cut their own trees makes for a great holiday outing in
the fresh air. Pack up the gang and let the hunt for the perfect Christmas tree
begin—try Dart’s Tree Farm or Muller’s Tree Farm
on Long Island to create a new seasonal tradition
for your family.

ACCESSORIZE,
ACCESSORIZE, ACCESSORIZE

Now, it’s time to add the trimmings. We’ve scoured local museum
gift shops and toy stores to round up kid-friendly, NYC-inspired gems. They’re
fit for any tree, whether yours reaches the ceiling or is more reminiscent of a
Charlie Brown Christmas.

Museum Gift
Shop Knickknacks

For both prehistoric and futuristic-minded kids, the American Museum of Natural
History sells Stegosaurus
and Mini
Robot ornaments. These cute and colorful creatures will add personality and pizazz.

Got a train-head at home? Forget the iPhone; use the Transit Museum’s Subway
Map ornament to help you learn the subway lines and colors. Then take a
trip across the Brooklyn
Bridge with the MoMA’s pocket-sized ornament rendition of the BK landmark.

The artists of the family will appreciate the Guggenheim Spiral
ornament, reflective of the interior view of the museum’s skylight, and the
New-York Historical Society’s Flatiron
Building ornament, which features a black-and-white photograph taken by
Irving Browning circa 1920.

To add some Lady Liberty elegance to your tree, the Ellis
Island Museum has
crafted a 24-karat gold ornament to commemorate the 125th
anniversary of the Statue’s 1886 dedication.

Toy Store
Trinkets

What tree would be complete without a touch of FAO Schwartz? The
adorable Bear-in-the-Box
ornament will make kids and adults alike think of the city’s greatest toy store
with a smile. For a classic I <3 New York ornament
featuring the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway sign and an apple, look no further
than the Christopher
Radko Big City Holiday ornament from Toys R Us.

If it’s baby’s first Christmas, Bloomingdale’s has the cutest Stork
Little Brown Bag ornament, complete with miniature ABC blocks and
a bottle. This would be perfect for your tiny tot or to give as a gift. And for
kids who love to decorate their own trinkets, they can color this quirky Munnyworld
Mini Munny ornament from KidRobot.