Where to Put the Christmas Tree

Every year, many of us drag out our Christmas trees (or go to the tree nursery and chop one down), bring it into our living rooms, and think, “How did this tree get so big?” It’s common to forget or just not realize how much room a pine tree will take up in the house. If you have a small living room or live in a small house, it can be difficult to find a place for the tree that won’t block doorways or essential furniture. Here are some tips on finding the perfect place to put the Christmas tree:

Many of us have visions of a gorgeous, full tree taking up residence in the main window of the living room. While it’s possible in some homes to do this, the fact is that it isn’t in others. If you have limited wall space and need to use the wall with the window for something else, then you’re not going to be able to put your tree there. If your ceilings are only 8 feet high, then you won’t be able to have an 8-foot tree. Acknowledge any unrealistic expectations, then let them go.

Some places that your tree won’t be able to be include in the doorway to the kitchen, in front of the fireplace, in front of the radiator and (in most homes) in front of the television set.

How long will you have your Christmas tree up? For many people, it’s between three and four weeks. Could you live with having the tree in front of a bookcase that you don’t use often? What about in front of a doorway if you have another way in and out of the room that’s temporarily blocked off? For example, if you have two arches leading into the dining room from the living room, could you put the tree in front of one of them?

You don’t have to put your Christmas tree in your living room. If there’s room in the dining room, study or den, you can put it there instead. If you have a guest room and won’t have guests visiting for Christmas, you could even put it there, and move your Christmas morning celebration to that room.

There’s no shame in having a small tree that sits on an end table, if you don’t have room for a big tree in your home. Small trees are also usually less expensive than their larger counterparts, and they’re less expensive to dress, too!

Try not to get stressed out over where to put your Christmas tree. Just do the best you can, and remember that the disruption is temporary!