Given the many types of Christmas trees available and the various ways in

because you will observe the tree being cut at the time it is purchased. If a

tree is bought elsewhere, such as from a retail lot, it is important to find out

where the tree came from and when it was cut.

To determine the freshness of a tree, observe whether it looks green and

healthy, has a fragrant scent and has needles that are moist and flexible. If

the needles appear dry or show browning, then that is a sign the tree isn't very

fresh. If a large amount of green needles fall when a few branches of the tree

are shaken, that's also a sign that the tree isn't the best one to buy to last

for the entire season. The needles of fir trees should break crisply when they

are bent. If a fir tree needle is bent and doesn't break readily with pressure,

it might mean that the tree isn't absorbing water and that will affect its

longevity.

Another reason a Christmas tree farm can be a better option for purchasing a

Christmas tree is that it will be more likely to offer more species of trees and

therefore a wider variety of shapes and sizes.

For those Christmas trees that are located on retail or other commercial lots,

freshness can be determined by looking at the conditions in which the trees are

kept. Observe whether the trees are kept in stands that hold water, if baled

trees are protected from the wind and sun, if a fresh cut is put on trees and if

the trees are tied down correctly.

Another quality to consider in selecting the right Christmas tree is its size.

Before buying a tree, its important to decide where it will be placed so that

the space can be measured. You will need to do a floor to ceiling measurement

and then subtract at least 10-12 inches to get the maximum height for the

Christmas tree. It is recommended that at least 10-12 inches of space should be

between the top of the Christmas tree and the ceiling.

The bottom of the Christmas tree also needs to be checked to make sure there is

adequate space between the end of it and the lowest branches. A small diagonal

fresh cut, such as an inch, is made in that area to enhance absorption of water,

which will make the tree last longer. This cut should be made just before the

tree is placed in water. If a fresh cut is done and the tree is exposed to the

air too long, the vessels can become blocked.

Along with freshness and size, a tree should be selected based on the shape that

you like, the smell of the needles and bark and on how dense and sturdy the

branches are. For the density and sturdiness of the tree, you need to have an

idea how the tree will be decorated - how many heavy ornaments, Christmas lights

or bows will be used. As an example, a fir tree that has sturdy branches will be

better for holding heavy ornaments and a pine tree is good for Christmas trees

that have light decorations such as bows and a string of Christmas lights.

The texture of the branches and how durable or long-lasting the tree will

be are also worth considering in choosing a perfect Christmas tree.

Favorite foods enjoyed by Americans for any given holiday, season or special occasion will likely include some ethnic

include other birds or poultry. These include roast goose or duck. Roasted ham may also be served. Cranberry sauce, vegetables,

pumpkin pie and a plum pudding or fruity Christmas pudding for dessert tops off traditional Christmas dinners. Mince pies and pastry

that is filled with a mixture of chopped, dried fruit may also be added to the menu.

For drinks at Christmas dinner, a bottle of champagne is very popular, as well as wines. But the everyday beverage of beer

is a must for many people to make a meal truly enjoyable.

Before Christmas Day and the big dinner arrives, there's also another type of food that Americans enjoy in large quantities

during the Christmas season. The consumption and sales of candies, gingerbread and other cookies and holiday treats increases rapidly

during the holidays. Similar to how department stores seek to attract shoppers to buy items for Christmas gifts, candy manufacturers

also put out special boxes and types of candies for Christmas and the holiday season.

A survey done in 2004 by the National Confectioners Association found that many adults derived much pleasure at

Christmas from giving and receiving candies and other treats. In their responses the survey participants said that giving decadent

boxes of chocolate to friends and family, placing candy canes on the Christmas tree and hiding candy treats in Christmas stockings

were favorite ways to give and receive candies, cookies and treats during the holidays.

Sweet treats remain popular at Christmas despite a constant message about dieting that is present in everyday life in the

media, in billboards and from some food manufacturers. At Christmas time, people feel free to enjoy the festive season without

constraints. But they also know that they can enjoy candies and cookies that are health conscious by eating ones that are targeted to the

low-carb dieter by having ingredients that are sugar-free and fat-free or both.

Cookies that are enjoyed at Christmas are often home-baked ones and usually include gingerbread items. The tradition of

gingerbread cookies at Christmas is also believed to have originated in Germany and brought to America by German immigrants.

German bakeries began baking very fancy gingerbread houses with icing as edible snow and other decorations after the Grimm

Brothers published their children's story, Hansel and Gretel. That story had a description of a house that was made of bread, a roof of

cake and windows of barley. The popularity of the creations by German bakeries gave rise to cookie cutters that were made in a

variety of shapes, enabling small gingerbread cookies of various shapes to be baked at home. Some of these cookies that had the

shapes of little people and animals were used to decorate Christmas trees.

More than one hundred years ago from today, German homes in Lancaster County in Pennsylvania would have cookies

that were up to one foot high in the front of windows of their houses as decorative items during winter. The cookies were often giant

gingerbread men and women that had colorful rows of buttons and big smiles. Passersby were often cheered and intrigued by the sight

and brought the idea to their homes on a smaller scale.

Being able to enjoy special dishes, candies, cookies and other goodies during Christmas and the holidays adds a sweet

flavor to the season and also helps to create warm and cherished memories.