Video: How to Safely Transport a Christmas Tree

To help you with avert a holiday disaster of Griswoldian proportions, heed these Christmas tree transportation tips. Yule thank us later. We know it's tempting to try and outdo the neighbors, but you need to make sure this thing is going to fit in your vehicle's cargo area or on its roof. Also, be sure you bring enough rope or bungee cords to properly secure the tree to the roof rack or cargo hooks. Have your tree netted at the lot to make it less unwieldy and to reduce wind damage to the tree's needles. If you're taking the roof route, place a tarp or blanket between the tree and the roof to protect against scratches, the same goes for the inside if your tree fits in the cargo area. This will also spare you having to pick up those loose needles later. You want the base of the tree pointing forward, so that the wind flows around the branches, as opposed to going against the grain. Center of the tree on the roof, to minimize the effect on your car's center of gravity. Wrap your rope or bungee around the tree first, then loop it through the roof racks. You can pull the rope through your car's windows, but we recommend against doing that. Before driving away, give your tree a good tug and make sure you've secured it sufficiently. Drive slowly and avoid highways. This will limit wind damage as well as the threat of the tree coming loose. If the tree seller offers to do this job for you, take 'em up on it, or you could avoid all this hassle and just buy a fake tree from the store. But come on. Where's the fun in that? (upbeat music)