Christmas is the most vibrant and joyous time of year, reeling in happy family memories, delicious holiday treats and the festive smell of pine. Yet, this season also brings with it a gigantic deciduous forest tree that can’t wait to scratch up your hardwood floors, leaving water stains and pine needles everywhere!

Perhaps you can even still see the scuff marks from last year, left over after the valiant battle of carrying the behemoth into the living room. You’re not looking forward to any repeat that might result in calling your local hardwood flooring services to replace thousands of dollars’ worth of oak, mahogany or maple floors. That’s why this year, you will be better prepared to meet your annual opponent on the hardwood battlefield, newly equipped with these crucial Christmas tree hacks.

Measure The Space

Your first battle strategy is to choose the right place to put the tree. You already have an idea or two of where it would look nice — in the living room where the family gathers, in front of the windows for the neighbors’ delight, or just anywhere out of reach of the cat. These are certainly important considerations, but the deciding factor will be where the tree actually fits. You don’t want to step into the battle arena only to have to step back out upon finding out that your opponent is too tall or too wide for the space.

First, view the tree from all sides to determine its widest side, and take that measurement along its lower third. Next, use your measuring tape to determine how tall the tree is. With this data in hand, measure the dimensions of your chosen space to see if the tree will comfortably fit or if the branches will scrape your walls and ceiling. Remember to factor in room for presents and a wide berth for walking around it. Mark the exact spot on the floor where your tree should sit. This will prevent the need to correctively slide the tree across your hardwood floors once it’s erect.

Clean Your Hardwood Floor First

Your next battle tactic is to clean the floor where you plan on setting up the Christmas tree. In doing so, you won’t have to worry about performing high-level gymnastics to clean under, around and through the tree later on. In addition, debris won’t get caught underneath the tree stand, risking more scratches to your expensive floor. It’s also a good idea in general to clear the area of any obstacles that may trip you up during setup.

Use A Protective Barrier

Now that your floor is a blank slate, it’s time to set up the Christmas tree stand. Think of your tree as a piece of furniture. The most effective way to protect your floors from getting scuffed the sofa, chairs, tables or other furniture is to place felt pads under each foot. Why not do the same with your tree stand? If felt pads don’t work with your particular stand, then a mat, towel or small rug are good alternatives. This soft, protective layer serves as a barrier between the stand’s hard material and the delicate hardwood underneath. If the protective barrier doesn’t suit your aesthetic tastes, throw a decorative Christmas tree skirt over top. What no one can see won’t hurt them!

Measure The Water

With the tree stand set up on a protective barrier and your Christmas tree safely bolted in place, the worst is finally over! Only one step remains to protect your hardwood floors from this final boss: watering the tree. Just like any other house plant, your Christmas tree needs water, too. Unlike most house plants, however, your Christmas tree risks bursting into flames if it gets too dehydrated. Double check your tree stand to see how much water it holds, and never fill the water past this amount. Use a watering can since its narrow, elongated spout will help prevent water spillage. If water does end up spilling, make sure to wipe it up immediately. Never leave water sitting on your hardwood floors long enough to leave stains or warp the wood planks. Protective barriers like a towel or rug will also help absorb spills and keep water off the wood.

After last holiday season, you took your tree down only to find hideous scuff marks and water stains. You had to go through the whole process of sanding down the area and refinishing the floor. This December, however, your plan of attack will have significantly leveled up. Like a Yuletide warrior, you can look forward to triumphing over your meanest adversary to the sound of sleigh bells and Christmas carols!