It’s the centerpiece in most families’ homes during the holiday season, the Christmas tree.
The brightly lit decoration often features homemade ornaments, family heirlooms and reminders of special occasions throughout the years.
While some choose to purchase an artificial tree, others might opt for the fragrant aromas provided by the presence of a live tree in the home.
For the first time, local dental assistant Cathy Smith, is providing the residents of Pearl River County a variety of options when it comes to choosing their family’s Christmas tree at her new business, Kandy Kane’s Christmas Trees.
“I wanted to make a fun and family-oriented environment for purchasing a Christmas tree,” Smith said. “As they walk through the trees, Christmas music plays through speakers.”
At Kandy Kane’s Christmas Trees, shoppers can peruse and choose their tree from a variety of Frazier firs, Virginia pine and Leyland Cypress, she said.
However, the stars of the business are the flocked trees, which can be purchased in the traditional white flocking, blue or pink, Smith said. The trees are sprayed with a fluffy white spray to simulate snow.
“The little girls love the blue flocked for a “Frozen” themed tree,” Smith said.
The shortest tree available is about 4-feet, while the tallest tree stands at about 10-feet, she said.
The green trees cost anywhere from $40 to $70, depending on size and shape, Smith said. Any size Virginia pine tree costs $25. The flocked trees cost between $60 and $180.
Smith also described the benefits of a live tree versus a synthetic.
“They smell great and families get to experience picking out a tree together,” she said. “I remember doing it as a child. It’s a very family-oriented place to go.”
The flocked, which come with a tree stand, do not need to be watered, she said. However, the green trees have to be watered constantly and the needles do fall more than the flocked varieties.
The American Christmas Tree Association website offers a variety of safety tips should families decided to purchase a live tree.
–– Look for a tree with vibrant green needles as fresh trees are less likely to catch fire.
–- Always place the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents and lights.
–- Keep the base filled with water.
–– Keep holiday candles away from the tree.
–– Make sure to turn off the Christmas tree lights at night. Learn more about tree safety at www.christmastreeassociation.org.
“The response has been great so far and we plan on doing it again next year,” Smith said.
Kandy Kane’s Christmas Trees is located by C-Spire on Frontage Road in Picayune as motorists head into the Walmart parking lot, Smith said.
They are open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m.
The business will remain open until the last tree is sold, Smith said.
For more information, visit the Facebook Page, Kandy Kane’s Christmas Trees.