corporate info

TORONTO, Nov 10, 2004 (Canada NewsWire via COMTEX) -- What's the secret to making your Christmas tree look as beautiful as the ones you see in magazines or in store windows? Sears Canada's Visual Presentation Manager, Bert Deveau, reveals his secrets to creating a beautifully decorated Christmas tree.

Setting up the tree

Christmas trees, whether natural or artificial need to be anchored with a steady base to avoid tipping. "Getting a natural tree into a plastic stand is often very frustrating," says Deveau. "People need to think outside the box to simplify this chore. Decorative vases or urns offer a great solution. Place tree into the container and fill with soil. This not only makes watering the tree a lot easier but adds an elegant and distinctive touch to displaying the tree." A revolving tree stand is perfect for artificial trees. This stand allows you to view the tree from all sides as it rotates 360 degrees forward or reverse.

Lighting the tree

"A general rule of thumb is to use 100 lights per foot of tree," says Deveau. Lights should be woven into the branches to give the tree depth and you should begin at the top and work your way down so that you end up with the plug at the bottom. You don't want the wires to be easily noticeable. Keep the lights on when you're doing this to assure even coverage and to keep you alert of any burnt lights. Only use lights approved by the Canadian Safety Association (CSA) and never use candles of any type to light the tree. Pre-lit trees are a great alternative and easy.

Decorating the tree

Take time decorating the tree. It takes one person about six hours to decorate a five to six foot tree. Begin with the ribbon. Wrap sheer ribbon or garland around the tree to capture the light and soften the look. Next, hang the ornaments. Deveau suggests hanging your smallest ornaments at the top and as the tree becomes wider towards the bottom balance it with larger ones. Ornaments should hang freely and should be distributed over the entire tree. A seven foot tree will need about 250 ornaments. Trees look best when there is a dominant colour running through them. "You can never over decorate your tree," says Deveau. "Add a new ornament every year to your tree for variety and interest."

Crown your tree with something special

No tree is complete without a special topper ornament. Toppers should inspire special memories and should have meaning.

Sears offers a large selection of trees, ornaments and holiday accessories including the new Whole Home(TM) Christmas Renaissance holiday collection and Martha Stewart Everyday(TM) Golden Traditions and Woodland Holiday collections. Available at Sears department stores, through the 2004 Sears Wish Book and online at www.sears.ca.

Sears Canada, the retailer with the most extensive multi-channel network in the country, began serving customers in 1953. The Company has 48,000 associates and, in an independent consumer survey, ranks high in customer service, trust, respect, and quality products and services. There is a Sears location within a 10-minute drive of 93% of Canadians, and Sears is dedicated to providing them with quality merchandise and exceptional service coast to coast through its 121 department stores, 47 Sears Home stores, over 2,200 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 150 dealer stores, 12 outlet stores, 51 floor covering centres, 112 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca. merchandise pick-up locations, 147 dealer stores, 12 outlet stores, 51 floor covering centres, 110 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available

on the Canadian Press Photo Network/

VIEW ADDITIONAL COMPANY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/orgDisplay.cgi?okey=58312

For further information: Eliana Cugini, Sears Corporate Communications,
(416) 941-4426, ecugini(at)sears.ca

News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350