“Tips for the perfect Christmas tree - BurlingtonFreePress.com” plus 1 more

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Tips for the perfect Christmas tree - BurlingtonFreePress.com Posted: 28 Nov 2009 01:24 AM PST Whether as spindly as Charlie Browns or as girthy and grand as the White Houses, Christmas trees are a festive and sentimental holiday addition to many American homes. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, the first written record of something resembling a modern day Christmas tree was in Riga, Latvia, during the year 1510. Men of the local merchants guild set up a tree in the market, decorated it with artificial roses and danced around it, setting it ablaze afterwards. It wasnt until over three centuries later in 1851 that Christmas trees were sold commercially in the United States, having been introduced to the nation by German settlers. Now a time-honored holiday tradition for many families, about 25-30 million real trees are sold each year nationwide. Whether you put up a balsam as soon as the turkey is lifted from the Thanksgiving table, or swing by the lot last minute, trolling through the leftovers, here are a few tips to do as the Latvians did and make your 09 tree the best yet just be sure to avoid the fiery finale. A pine fragrance, good needle retention and soft, bottle brush needles are a few characteristics Bob White looks for when he selects his Christmas tree each year. As owner of Whites Tree Farm (Vermont 15, 255 Jericho Road in Essex), he trolls his crop, cutting down the first tree from the fields to set up in his own home, usually a blue balsam. White shared a few tips to help cut Christmas trees make it through the holidays in style, still fresh and green until the last drop of champagne is poured. • Tip: When choosing, think about what species of tree would fit you best. Why? Not all trees have the same needle retention. The balsam fir is known for having the best Christmas smell; while some have extremely good needle retention, its not quite as good as the Fraser fir, which doesnt have the balsam smell, but traditionally has good needle retention. • Tip: Once youre tree is cut, maintain a steady supply of water to the tree. Why? If you let the water run out and the tree sucks up some air, it will never draw water the same again. This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

Holiday shopping: Gifts for the green thumb - StarNewsOnline.com Posted: 27 Nov 2009 06:32 PM PST It's always a delight to visit Paysage in Lumina Station for its mouthwatering decorative items and furniture. When the internationally famous interior designer Bunny Williams was at the store recently, she declared that, "When in doubt, use gold." So she would approve of this Chinese temple-like lantern. Made from a richly gilded metal with a glass interior, it is suitable for hanging on a porch or from a pergola – or try hanging a trio of them at different heights over the dinner table. Just add tea lights and watch the magic happen. $85 Every year I gravitate toward the Potting Shed at the New Hanover County arboretum for gift ideas for gardeners. They have practical and decorative items and their prices are excellent. From a large selection of possible gifts I chose a trug from Janet Baskets that, while still utilitarian, looks so attractive wrapped in brightly colored cloth. The fabric comes in several colors and patterns and is environmentally friendly, sturdy and washable. The metal frame folds for storage. And it's versatile – use in the garden, the car, shopping or in the home. $19.95 Now you, too, can have fairies at the bottom of your garden – or just about anywhere you care to put them. At the Transplanted Garden, on 16th and Castle streets, find these absolutely adorable fixings for a fairy garden of your very own design. Purchase almost any kind of container from the store (or use one you already have) and you can create a scene to delight you, your guests and especially any children you know. Fairies by Cicely Mary Barker ($14.99) Other components include: mini gazebo ($9.99), a gate ($3.99) mini chandelier ($3.99), wheelbarrow ($7.99) and garden chair ($4.99). The store will make one up for you or you can create your own magical fairy garden. Who says a watering can has to be strictly utilitarian? Certainly not the Indian artisans who created some whimsical watering cans in the form of various birds that, when not watering, become pieces of fun garden art. Our example is the humming bird and, once filled, he will dispense a gentle spray of water from under his beak. $49 from A Proper Garden, 2 Ann St., Chandler's Wharf. Protocol on Wrightsville Ave. can be counted on to come up with something elegant and beautiful, like the "Bloom in a Box." Talk about gardening made easy! You just remove the pot from its ribbon-wrapped box, place the bulb in the growing medium provided, water, and watch it grow. But when the flower fades you will still have the silk flower – and you can plant the bulb in the garden where it will likely bloom next year. Amaryllis are available in Red, Stargazer (Red/White), White and Apple Blossom (Pink). Each kit comes with pot, soil, bulb(s) and easy-to-follow instructions. $39 One of my favorite catalogs is Gardeners' Supply, which this year features the Blue Moon Birdfeeder. This glittering glass feeder will add color to even the drabbest winter landscapes. Backyard birds will love this one-stop feeder. In fair weather, they can perch on the rim to dine. When it's wet and windy, they can hop inside to eat. The extra thick crackle glass sparkles when it catches the light. Drainage holes keep seed dry. $19.95 This content has passed through fivefilters.org.

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