December 10, 2021

How to Pick a Christmas Tree Like a Russian


How to Pick a Christmas Tree Like a Russian
Russians take their holiday tree decorating very seriously.  Photo by TJ Holowaychuk via Unsplash

Vladislav Pukharev operates an online shop specializing in Christmas trees (or New Year's trees, as they are called in Russia), and he recently spoke with the website Vechernyaya Moskva to give Moscovites some best tips for selecting their own holiday greenery

Pukharev's first tip emphasized the importance of appearance. A tree should be slender and even in shape with no missing branches. Color is also important; a natural shade of green denotes a healthy spruce tree. 

Another evergreen tip is to consider the height of the tree in relation to your apartment before bringing it back home. An enormous tree is an excellent idea, until you remember that you live in an apartment building built in the Soviet era

To test for the quality of the tree, Pukharev recommends giving the tree a light shake and counting the number of needles that might fall off. For some tree varieties (such as the Russian spruce) it is acceptable for 10-20 needles to fall off the tree, especially if it is stressed (like when you are removing it from the package or bringing it inside your home). But for other tree varieties (like firs and pines), no green needles should fall off the tree. 

Pukharev leaves a final warning to Russians looking to buy holiday trees from unauthorized retailers. Apparently, in Russia, you can be fined for purchasing a tree from a seller who doesn't have the proper documents, and it is even a criminal offense to transport a spruce tree without the proper documentation. Deck the halls with caution, everyone! 

You Might Also Like

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals

Some of Our Books

Survival Russian

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.
The Moscow Eccentric

The Moscow Eccentric

Advance reviewers are calling this new translation "a coup" and "a remarkable achievement." This rediscovered gem of a novel by one of Russia's finest writers explores some of the thorniest issues of the early twentieth century.
At the Circus (bilingual)

At the Circus (bilingual)

This wonderful novella by Alexander Kuprin tells the story of the wrestler Arbuzov and his battle against a renowned American wrestler. Rich in detail and characterization, At the Circus brims with excitement and life. You can smell the sawdust in the big top, see the vivid and colorful characters, sense the tension build as Arbuzov readies to face off against the American.
Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

Steppe / Степь (bilingual)

This is the work that made Chekhov, launching his career as a writer and playwright of national and international renown. Retranslated and updated, this new bilingual edition is a super way to improve your Russian.
The Little Golden Calf

The Little Golden Calf

Our edition of The Little Golden Calf, one of the greatest Russian satires ever, is the first new translation of this classic novel in nearly fifty years. It is also the first unabridged, uncensored English translation ever, and is 100% true to the original 1931 serial publication in the Russian journal 30 Dnei. Anne O. Fisher’s translation is copiously annotated, and includes an introduction by Alexandra Ilf, the daughter of one of the book’s two co-authors.
Driving Down Russia's Spine

Driving Down Russia's Spine

The story of the epic Spine of Russia trip, intertwining fascinating subject profiles with digressions into historical and cultural themes relevant to understanding modern Russia. 
The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The Frogs Who Begged for a Tsar (bilingual)

The fables of Ivan Krylov are rich fonts of Russian cultural wisdom and experience – reading and understanding them is vital to grasping the Russian worldview. This new edition of 62 of Krylov’s tales presents them side-by-side in English and Russian. The wonderfully lyrical translations by Lydia Razran Stone are accompanied by original, whimsical color illustrations by Katya Korobkina.
Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

Faith & Humor: Notes from Muscovy

A book that dares to explore the humanity of priests and pilgrims, saints and sinners, Faith & Humor has been both a runaway bestseller in Russia and the focus of heated controversy – as often happens when a thoughtful writer takes on sacred cows. The stories, aphorisms, anecdotes, dialogues and adventures in this volume comprise an encyclopedia of modern Russian Orthodoxy, and thereby of Russian life.
Tolstoy Bilingual

Tolstoy Bilingual

This compact, yet surprisingly broad look at the life and work of Tolstoy spans from one of his earliest stories to one of his last, looking at works that made him famous and others that made him notorious. 

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955