Elder Care Fun: Selecting a Live Christmas Tree

By Jamie Shapiro | November 19, 2015 | Comments Off on Elder Care Fun: Selecting a Live Christmas Tree

Elder Care in Highland Park IL

For many families, the tree is the centerpiece of their Christmas celebration. Much more than just a symbol or a place to stash the presents under, the Christmas tree is where families can display the ornaments that mean so much to them, the center on which the joy of decorating together focuses, and a connection with generations past. If your family is like this, part of your seasonal elder care journey this year might be helping your aging loved ones pick out their tree. While many people are moving to artificial trees for their simplicity and sustainability, some families love the tradition and old-fashioned fun of a live tree. If this is the case for your aging parents, getting out and picking out that tree together can be a wonderful experience that allows you to make lasting, meaningful memories with them while also stimulating their minds and making sure that they select a tree that is will stay safe and beautiful throughout the Christmas season.

 

Use these tips to help you select the perfect live Christmas tree for your aging parents this holiday season:

• Choose your species. There is not just one type of Christmas tree. Many different species of pine and fir grow on choose your own farms or end up in retail lots. Before you head out to pick out your tree, talk to your loved ones about what type of decorating scheme they want to use. Larger ornaments and decorations will look better on a tree with naturally sparser branches, while smaller decorations will better accent a tree with closer branches. This can be a fun research project for your aging parents to do on their own, with you, or with their elderly health care services provider before you go shopping.

• Know the size. Anyone who has seen “Christmas Vacation” knows the dangers of picking a Christmas tree that is too large for the room. Avoid this type of unpleasant moment by carefully measuring the area where your parents want to keep the tree before you leave. Remember that you must take into consideration the height of the stand as well as any decoration you want to put on top as well. Do not just measure the vertical size of the tree. You must also keep in mind the width of the tree at its base to make sure that it does not overwhelm the room.

• Look for freshness. A fresh Christmas tree will not only look best throughout the season, it will also smell best and present the least cleanup necessary due to needle loss. Check for the richness of the color, the intensity of the scent, and the pliability of the needles. Fir needles should snap easily if fresh, while pine needles should bend. If you are purchasing your tree from a retail lot, ask the seller when he receives the trees and if he gets shipments throughout the season to ensure maximum freshness for your parents’ tree.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering elder care in Highland Park, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Jamie Shapiro
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