Christmas Tip #3 - Finding The Perfect Christmas Tree

The first thing you'll be thinking is: 'Should I get a real Christmas tree or should I get an artificial Christmas tree?'

The answer is a bit more complicated than you may think.

There's nothing better than going down to a farm or independent Christmas tree retailer with your family and loved ones to choose which is the best real Christmas tree. They're great moments when it's cold and you can see your breath whilst you're walking through a muddy field choosing your favourite. You'll never agree with everyone else, but it's a case of comprimise.

Buying a real Christmas tree makes Christmas real in my eyes. You can't beat it. The only part I don't like is the potting of it and covering the base with wrapping paper - that's too much hard work for me!

Real Christmas trees give a room that feeling of quality and the belief that you're giving Christmas your all.

One thing to look out for when you're choosing where to buy you Christmas tree is to find a retailer that belongs to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.

The BCTGA work towards growing well shaped and sturdy Christmas trees so make sure you see their logo around at the shop you're visiting:



The BCTGA have a list of Christmas tree retail sites here to help you find one in your local area.

So with a real Christmas tree you've got the atmosphere they create - but you also get the mess and hassle.

With artificial Christmas trees you've got so much choice. You can choose the height, the colour - you can have Christmas trees with tinsel already on it or in blue, yellow, gold, silver or whatever colour you can think of.

You can also choose the shape. You can have Christmas trees that are made to fit flush against a wall so they look like half a tree. You can have mini Christmas trees, wall mounted Christmas trees, upside down Christmas trees, desk Christmas trees.

If you don't want to have a normal tree, but want luxury ones, then you can get them too.

You can also get Christmas trees that are designed to put straight into you garden as they have a spike on the bottom.

You can also get pre-lit Christmas trees - now that's my style (lazy).

But Christmas trees are so mainstream these days that you can pick them up from your local supermarket and even Amazon!

Highstreet & well-known name retailers:

• John Lewis - a fantastic retailer of Christmas fayre.


• Littlewoods Direct -a generic retailer which should have some cheap alternatives.


• Marks And Spencer - wonder Christmas trees and Christmas goodies.


• Tesco - budget and fine Christmas trees galore! You're sure to find a 
  good bargain at Tescos.

Here's some suppliers:

• Christmas Wrapped Up - you can choose either real or artifical Christmas trees.


• Christmas Direct - if its Christmas, they've got it!


• Christmas Tree Land - another fine Christmas tree retailer.


• Christmas Time UK - helpfully they've got a list of them by size. and they also do
   coloured Christmas trees. There's a lot of choice.


• Easy Plants - they've got some great quality Christmas trees.


• Christmas Trees Direct - So much choice inlcluding real trees, artificial ones, large trees.