This will reduce bacteria in the water and lengthen the stems life. Change the water every few days and place in a cool, dark spot until buds begin to form. To coax the branches out of dormancy moisture is needed. Usually intake from the stems is enough but you may wish to wrap the stems in burlap or spray the branches to increase moisture especially in dry conditions. When buds begin to swell move your container of stems to a brighten location to encourage flowering and aid in color development.
Cool temperatures are best for quality blooms and avoid direct sunlight.
Easter Tree One of our family traditions is to force willow branches so they have pussy's come Easter. We then decorate our Easter tree with ribbons and painted pieces of eggshell. Kids love decorating the tree especially when mud prevents alot of outdoor activity. Be creative with finding bits and pieces of shiny bits around the house to add to your tree. I believe this tradition comes from Norway so added activity could be exploring some of the food Norwegians eat at Easter time and trying out some different recipes.