Okay, we just brought home our beautiful Chrirstmas tree. The roots are wrapped in plastic. Do I need to trim the tips of the roots before putting the tree into the potting soil in the pot? Or do I just toss it in, as is? How often do I water it?

Normally we have a cut tree, this will be our first year with a live one. Thanks for all the help and any other tips would be great. Happy Holidays!

If it is an outdoor tree for your area, do not plant it in a pot; just keep it in the plastic and put the undisturbed rootball it in a galvanized metal tub like you might use to wash your dog in. You can fill in around the rootball with gravel or wood mulch to allow you to stand it up straight. Put 3-4 holes in the bottom of the plastic to allow it to drain, and water it well about twice a week to keep the roots wet inside the plastic. When Christmas is over, gradually acclimatize it to the conditions outdoors by moving it first into a cool but not cold area like a garage, before planting it right out into the freezing cold. Your warm house may have made it think it's spring already and you don't want to shock it too badly. For this reason begin the move outside by way of the garage, immediately after Christmas. Don't keep it indoors any longer than you have to.
If your tree is an indoor tree like a Norfolk Island Pine, the advice of the other answerer is correct.

Just remove the plastic and slightly loosen the roots. Be sure to plant it in a pot of adequate enough size for substantial root growth. 2 to 3 times the size of the root ball. Water until moist, then water frequently. Be sure not to drown the plant.

It would be good to place some pebbles or rocks at the base of the pot to allow for drainage. If not the roots may end up sitting in water and rot.

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