No doubt if you haven't already, you're about to embark on a hunt for a Christmas tree. There are plenty of places in the Midcoast to look and buy. Here are some tips to remember when picking one out and a little Christmas tree history to boot. We collected tips from This Old House, Real Simple and The History Channel, to help you.

Christmas comes but once a year, and picking out the perfect tree to jolly up the living room is a family ritual full of fun. But with all the different types of trees out there, it's hard to know which one is right for your holiday display. And knowing how to keep it green and fragrant once you deck it out, is a talent that eludes many a yuletide reveler.

Christmas trees are grown in all 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it, in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles if trees were scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree.

It is not surprising that, like many other festive Christmas customs, the tree was adopted so late in America. To the New England Puritans, Christmas was sacred.

In 1659, the General Court of Massachusetts enacted a law making any observance of Dec. 25 (other than a church service) a penal offense; people were fined for hanging decorations. That stern solemnity continued until the 19th century, when the influx of German and Irish immigrants undermined the Puritan legacy.

"When a tree goes south, 99 percent of the time it's human error," said This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook. So before you turn your tannenbaum into the Charlie Brown special, take a few tips from the experts on how to pick one, measure for it, and make sure it lasts through Christmas Day, and maybe into the New Year.

This may seem like a no-brainer, but we know plenty of people who don’t follow this rule, and bring home something they thought would fit in their living room. Measure the height of your ceiling. If the tree is too tall, you won't be able to fit a star or an angel on it, or you may have to trim the bottom and the top. Don't forget to account for the height of your tree stand too.

Also clear the space where you'll put the tree and measure how deep it is. Different species are different girths, so you want to be sure you won't be squishing the branches against the wall. And keep an eye on the diameter of your stand. You want to be sure the trunk of your tree will fit in it, and that it's big enough and sturdy enough to keep your tree upright. If you're upgrading to a larger tree this year, you may need to invest in a bigger stand.

Beware! The closer it gets to Christmas the harder it is to find a stand. Retailers sell out fast. If you'll need a bigger stand, buy it early.

For the freshest and healthiest tree, you should patronize an established tree farm or a lot that brings in trees from local farms, according to Clarke Gernon, chairman of the National Christmas Tree Association. The ones that the farms sell are grown specifically to retain their needles. Most Christmas trees are cut about three to four weeks before they arrive on the lot—usually the weekend after Thanksgiving.

• First when you're picking out a tree, give it the bounce test to check freshness. Vigorously bounce it on its stump and if lots of needles fall off, choose another.

- Interior needles that fall off are normal. If they fall off the exterior branches, pick another.

- Another test is to grab any branch on the tree between your thumb and forefinger, gently clamp down and pull towards yourself. If you end up with a handful of needles, the tree is already past its prime.

- Crush the needles in your hand and then check the scent. If the tree doesn't have a pleasing pine aroma, or no aroma, don't buy it.

• Once you've found the perfect tree, saw half an inch to an inch off the end to help it absorb water. Also, any tree that's 5 feet or taller needs to be kept in a tree stand that holds at least a gallon of water — trees are thirstiest the first few days after they're cut.

- Make absolutely sure the tree's trunk fits your stand. Trimming the diameter of the tree by cutting away the bark will strip the tree of its cambium layer, which absorbs water. If this happens your tree is a goner.

- You can have the lot trim the stump before you leave if you're headed for home, but you should wait if you're going to be out more than four hours. Otherwise, the end will glaze over with new pitch, and the tree won't take up water.

• When you water your tree, use very warm water.

- Rumor has it that if you add a teaspoon of light corn syrup and a few drops of bleach. It'll keep your tree fresh two weeks longer.

When you're on the lot and you don't know which tree is best, here are a few hints...

• If you have cats, get a Colorado Blue Spruce. The needles are prickly so they won't try climbing it twice. This is also the best on which to hang heavy ornaments, since its branches are nice and thick.

• If you love that Christmas tree smell, get a Balsam Fir. Your entire house will smell like a forest in Maine

• The most popular tree is the Fraser Fir, which is said to have the best needle retention, staying fresh for up to four weeks.

• If you have allergies, beware of the Douglas Fir and Scotch Pines. They shed more than needles. They release allergy causing mold spores and pollen.

Never ever put the tree near the fireplace or lighted candles. A Christmas tree is just one flame away from a forest fire. And only you can prevent forest fires.

Seriously, dump the old Christmas tree lights. Still decorating the tree with old bulbs? Go for LED lights this holiday season. According to Money magazine, 10 strands running eight hours a day for a month will ding your electric bill just 72 cents, versus $7.20 for regular mini bulbs.

Once the tree is up and decorated, it's time to place the presents underneath and find creative ways to wait until Santa Clause visits on Christmas Eve.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 61st Anniversary of tracking Santa's yuletide journey. NoradSanta.org features Santa's North Pole Village, which includes a holiday countdown, games and activities.

Official NORAD Tracks Santa apps are also available in the Windows, Apple and Google Play stores. Tracking is also offered on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google+. Santa followers just need to type "@noradsanta" into each to get started.

And lastly, how about those gift cards that have been sitting in a drawer or your wallet. Did you receive a gift card last Christmas? Did you use it? There's a one-in-five chance you haven't. Yep, 19 percent of gift cards given last Christmas haven't been used. Be sure and check, because some gift cards have expiration dates.