Trees

As early as you like! However, the end of November to early December helps to guarantee a healthy tree for the big day.

The very earliest Christmas trees go back to pagan traditions in Northern Europe, where an evergreen tree represented the promise of spring during the winter solstice. This then merged with Christianity in Germany around the 16th century, and the tradition became popular in the UK through Prince Albert, the German husband of Queen Victoria.

A lot depends on personal preference – a more subtle look needs fewer lights, or add more for a dazzling appearance. The look will also depend on what type of lights you choose. Using LEDs, as a general rule allow for 100-200 bulbs (5-10metres) of lights per 2ft of tree, so a 6ft tree would need between 300 and 600 lights (15-30m).

Christmas trees are evergreen conifers, usually a fir, spruce or pine. The Norway Spruce is the traditional choice, although it needs watering to retain its needles; more recently varieties such as Nordmann Fir have become more popular because of their non-drop characteristics. Varieties like Blue Spruce are also available, offering a look that’s a little different.

If you have an artificial tree that’s come out of the box looking a little flat, ‘fluff’ the branches by starting at the bottom and working your way up, bending and twisting each branch to avoid flat sections and fanning them out in various directions. For a full look, both real and artificial trees should be decorated with a mix of bauble sizes, types, textures and materials, such as ribbons and garlands. Layer baubles, with larger pieces on branches nearer the trunk and smaller ones towards the front to create depth. Grouping baubles or hanging them at various heights also helps create a more visually appealing look.