While some relish the annual tradition of decorating the Christmas tree, others find the task, especially untangling fairy lights, a source of dread.
But one ingenious senior couple has devised a stress-free solution that keeps their tree decorated and hidden for most of the year. A TikTok video shows a family waiting around an opening in the floor as the tree slowly rises from the basement, suspended from a ceiling hook.
The brains behind the idea – retired machinist, Mr Taylor – captures the moment on camera, revealing the clever mechanism behind his unique approach: “Tree in basement, raised to living room. Fully decorated,” he explains.
A pal is then seen operating a manual pulley system, cranking a handle to lift the adorned tree into the living room. As the tree reaches its position, calls of “Hold it, stop! ” are heard from those gathered.
And after ensuring the tree is secure, the laminate flooring is replaced to hide the gap. The innovative method has captured the internet’s attention, with one TikTok user commenting, “That’s a retired engineer with too much time on their hands, but I’m here for it! ” The viral video has amassed an impressive 10 million views.
A second person lauded the concept, saying: “I don’t wanna put up the tree and take it back down every year, I’d much rather cut a hole in the floor and build a special lift just for the tree. Much less work.”
A third, clearly intrigued, demanded: “I need the story behind this. I need to see where this tree sit 11 months out of they year. I need to see the tree go back down. I need the specs for this whole project and process.”
A fourth TikTok user commented: “That’s truly amazing, I think that’s the best way to store a tree and to raise it back up . That’s a genius invention.” Meanwhile, a fifth was evidently inspired, writing: “Now that I know this exists, I firmly believe every house needs one. Guests coming in 10 minutes? Quick, lower all the kids toys and piles of clean laundry that need to be folded!”
A stark warning has been issued about the potential dangers of outdated decorations and poorly wired lighting, meanwhile.
A recent AXA Insurance survey has unearthed alarming figures, revealing that 30 percent of households confess to using lights over five years old, while a worrying 15 percent never check their lights for safety issues. These statistics highlight a serious concern for the heightened risk of electrical fires during the holidays.
Chris Horridge from Expert Electrical has voiced his concerns, pointing out that worn or old decorations can significantly increase the likelihood of electrical mishaps.”So many homes are using lights that are decades old or damaged in some way, greatly increasing the possibility of electrical fires,” he said. “Simple precautions can make all the difference, ensuring that the festive season is sparkling rather than disastrous and is safe for families.”
