It hurts to know the ft founder has lost 4 christmas trees to gravity when his own brother is a profession christmas tree stand-er-upper. I work at a garden center that sells christmas trees. If a customer buys a tree from us and brings us their stand we will put a fresh cut on the tree and mount it for free. For those not wanting to get sappy at all we will delivery it, put it in the living room, and come back after christmas to pick it up. Between these services we cut and mount over 600 trees a year. If there is a problem with the tree standing up, it is usually the stand. We see a lot of very poorly made stands. The best stands have a spike or nails sticking up to go into the base of the tree, three or four screws to go into the side of the base of the tree, a big resevoir to keep you from having to water it 4 times a day, and a wide bottom. Stay away from ones with rotating cups, light plastic, and shallow pans. Splurge on a good stand. We sell a great one that can hold a 10 foot tree for $25. It says it will hold a 12 foot tree but I wouldn't try it. The second biggest thing is a straight cut on the bottom, best done with a CHAINSAW! You don't need a gas powered saw and a bow saw will make you want to commit a crime if the wood is wet. Go in with a neighbor or two to get a small electric chainsaw (also great for cutting up small limbs for chimineas). It is hard to make yourself cut enough bottom limbs, but remember the limbs will lean down better once the tree is in a 70 degree house. If the limbs are touching the stand they should come off. Find a level hard surface outside the house, make a fresh cut, mount the stand while the tree is on it's side, tighten down any screws, stand it up, and make any adjustments before taking it in. Much easier to fight the tree without furniture and excited younguns in the room. The dental floss idea is on the right track, but use fishing line instead. The best affordable stand I've messed with is the "Cinco Tree Stand". Now that my dissertation is done. You are invited to applause, ask questions, eat orderves(sounds that way), and attend my honorary doctorate service at the north pole.