Tausi Insider

Photo : Kai Moon ( Shutterstock ) When you’re on the hunt for the perfect house (or at least one that’s available in your price range), there are plenty of things to consider, from the walkability of the neighborhood, to the school district, to the condition of the house itself. In most cases, the condition of the front and backyards aren’t necessarily a dealbreaker—as long as the outdoor space is there. But one thing many homebuyers overlook is the trees surrounding the house. Of course they’ll notice them—especially if they partially shade the house, or add to its curb appeal—but beyond seeing them as an asset, people often neglect to consider the costs of maintaining the trees on their property. Here’s what to keep in mind about this frequently forgotten aspect of homeownership. How to assess the trees on the property While there are definitely benefits of having trees in your yard, when you’re caught up in the process of buying a home, it can be easy to gloss over the fact tha...

Photo : Sergey Mikheev ( Shutterstock ) Looking to save money on holiday decorations this year? Along with reusing (or repurposing) pieces you have from previous years, you can freshen up your festive decor with a little help from nature. Here’s what to know. How to decorate for the holidays using pieces from nature First, a few ground rules. If you’re fortunate enough to own a house with your own yard, then by all means, help yourself to what’s there. City-dwellers and others who don’t have access to their own nature shouldn’t trespass on private property, or take things from parks. They can, however, ask friends and family with trees and yards if they could pop over and help tidy up their property (i.e. forage for holiday decorations). Anyway, here are a few ideas: Evergreen branches The most obvious—and most versatile—of the natural decorations, branches from evergreen trees can be used for everything from garland, to tablescapes, to wreaths, to greenery around a nativity scene...

A kid rides a bicycle to power a Christmas lights installation in Budapest, Hungary, on Nov. 28. MARTON MONUS/Reuters A bicycle pedalled by passers-by powers up a Christmas tree-shaped light installation in Budapest, as the local mayor applies sustainable technology to celebrate the festive season while saving on surging energy costs. The tree only lights up fully while someone keeps pedalling really hard, which encourages families with their kids to stop and give it a try. The bicycle also charges a battery that, along with solar panels, powers up the rest of the lights around the Budapest square. “One the one hand, we keep moving in this cold weather. On the other, we can experience how much one needs to pedal to light up a six meter-high Christmas tree decoration,” said Gergely Orsi, the mayor of Budapest’s 2nd district. “For us, it shows an example that sustainability is the future.” His municipality decided to cancel most of the usual Christmas light decorations this year due to...

Photo : Tatyana Soares ( Shutterstock ) Real Christmas trees don’t work for everyone. You might have destructive pets, toddlers, a small apartment, or a small budget. You might have allergies to trees or the mold spores they can bring in with them. You might just like to do things differently. Whatever the reason, there are lots of ways to craft your own tree and make it unique to you. Here are some ways to make a Christmas tree out of almost anything. Make a floating ornament tree To make a suspended tree out of ornaments and fishing line, you’ll need those and some removable hooks . If you have textured ceilings or a space that won’t accommodate temporary, stick-on hooks, you can use ceiling hooks and anchors for this project. ( If you go that route, you’ll also need a drill.) Keep in mind that the stick-on hooks are designed to hold about half a pound and the screw-in type will hold up to 20, so if you plan to use heavier ornaments, the screw-in variety will work better. The...

Photo : Koldunov Alexey ( Shutterstock ) A live Christmas tree would seem to be a fine project for somebody with a brown thumb. You only have to tend it for a month, and then it’ll get chucked to the curb. But it’s important to keep your tree fresh and happy during that time, lest it turn into a fire hazard . Unfortunately, bogus “hacks” abound that will actually make your tree more likely to lose their needles. Let’s separate the myths from the actual good advice. Don’t put anything in the water It seems like everybody has their own special recipe for “preserving” their Christmas tree. But if you talk to the experts on keeping cut trees alive—like the horticulturists at cooperative extensions, and the National Christmas Tree Association—they all agree that the best thing to put in your tree stand is plain water. Nothing added. Take this study , for example. A forestry specialist placed fresh cut Christmas tree branches into water treated with a variety of things that are suppose...