So the candles on the tree were only lit twice, for about 1 hour each (with a bucket of sand and one of water hidden away round the corner and a water spray too. Tree only was in the house for a few days- sprayed daily- and candles lit on Chrismas day after late lunch, whilst we opened presents, and again the next day- and then out of the house on 1st of Jan.
We used to do this every year in the UK too- will always remember DD1 saying, about 5- oh mummy, can you imagine we are the only people in England to have a proper Christmas' so so sweet.