Make tree hunting and tree decorating two separate family-night traditions since both require time and planning.

Tips for tree-hunting night:

• Get the tree stand out of storage and ready for use. Set out a bucket of water to soak the tree trunk when you bring it home.
• Visit a local tree lot, a discount center’s tree lot or a nearby Christmas tree farm. Choose a late afternoon when everyone can participate. Dress warm, take a thermos of hot chocolate or cider, and play Christmas music on the way. Many of the tree farms will give you a saw and allow you to cut down your tree. (Keep children at a safe distance from the sawing.) Take a camera along to capture the moment.
• Let everyone have a say in the tree selection. Narrow your choice to two or three and take a vote.
• Make a detour to see neighborhood Christmas lights on the ride home.
• Saw off a few inches of the trunk and put the tree in the bucket of water that you prepared.
• Join hands around the tree while it is soaking (or after your artificial tree is assembled) and sing “O Christmas Tree.” If you do use an artificial tree, make unpacking it a special event. Sip eggnog or cider and play Christmas music while assembling the branches.
• Celebrate your decorating night the next evening, if possible, for eager little ones who have a hard time waiting.
• Take a moment to thank God for your time together as a family.

• Choose a fun and special way to announce the beginning of Tree-Decorating Night. March through the halls singing a holiday song or ring a special bell.
• Proclaim: “Hear ye, hear ye! It is hereby declared that the Smith Family Tree Night has commenced. Grab a decoration and let’s have fun!” Remember: Traditions are things that set your family apart from others. Be creative or even a little silly.
• Reminisce over ornaments in your collection.
• Don’t stress out over how children hang ornaments. Your tree may be a little bottom-heavy for the first few years, but when you look back, even that will be a fond memory.
• Prepare yourself mentally for the likelihood of ornaments getting broken. Don’t let it spoil the evening. Just sweep away the pieces and focus on having fun.
• Serve snacks halfway through the decorating.
• Do not be disappointed if toddlers — and teenagers — want to drop out before the last ornament is hung. Try to end as a family by assigning each person a special concluding task. One family member can put the angel or star on the top, another can toss the icicles on the tree, another can plug in the lights. Rotate the tasks each year.
• Cheer as a family when the tree is lit.
• Close the evening in prayer and thanks.