ALPENA- When choosing the perfect Christmas tree, the first step is to decide whether you would like an artificial tree or a real tree. With proper care, both kinds of trees can maintain their quality appearance through the holiday season.

The many different of species of live trees will all need to be watered regularly to lengthen their lifespan, and a cooler temperature within the room where the tree is present will keep it alive longer.

So what makes a Christmas tree perfect? Each person has a different view on what makes a great tree.

Russ Sobeck said a tree needs lots of lights and hand made ornaments to make it perfect for the holidays. Sobeck sets up his artificial tree around the first weekend in December every year and adorns it with all different style ornaments.

Hand-made ornaments seem to be a popular favorite for decorators. Erin Herrington said her whole family decorates the tree with homemade ornaments made by her and her siblings each year.

Phil Henry said his wife always picks out their tree and he goes and cuts it down every year.

“We put a green pickle ornament on the tree and move it around each day because it’s hard to see,” Henry said. “Then, on Christmas morning, the first person to find the pickle opens the first present.”

Each child in Deedra Schalk-Haselhuhn’s family puts their own ornaments on their tree each year.

“Every year I add to their collection on a green and red tree in the family room,” Schalk-Haselhuhn said. “I change the theme on the tree upstairs in the living room every year, but it also always has family ornaments on it. I decorate it all by myself in peace and quiet each year.”

Erica Walle and her family make a special trip to Bronner’s Christmas Store every year to let her son, Zander, pick out his ornament. The family then has the ornament dated, and when he gets older and has his own tree, he will have all of his ornaments to decorate it with.

“We just put up our tree and he gets to help put up the ornaments,” Walle said. “So far his favorite ornament is the Thomas the Tank Engine one he got last year. We usually go to Bronner’s the week before Christmas.”

No matter what type of tree is chosen, what makes it perfect seems to be spending time with family and friends, and adding special meaning to each tree.

Nicole Grulke can be reached via email at ngrulke@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687. Follow Nicole on Twitter @ng_alpenanews.