When should I put my Christmas tree and decorations up? Here's where to buy real and artificial trees for 2017
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You know it’s December when you pass beautifully lit windows in the evening, gaze inside and see a Christmas tree, tall and magical in the corner.
But when it comes to actually buying the tree... where is the best place to buy one, real or fake, without getting ripped off?
And then there’s the etiquette of when you actually put it up. While some like it as early as possible, others wait until its practically Christmas eve. So what is socially correct, and where do you begin on the Christmas tree challenge? Our helpful tips guide you every step of the way.
When do I put up my Christmas tree?
There’s no hard and fast rule about when you should put up your Christmas tree, but traditionally we've not done it until a bit closer to the big day itself.
A lot of people choose to put up the Christmas tree 12 days before Christmas day, on the 13th of December but if you're Catholic you might not put the tree up until after noon on Christmas eve. It is also common in some communities to put up the Christmas tree on December 6 in honour of Saint Nicholas.
Where to buy a Christmas tree
It depends of course whether you are after a real tree, or a fake. The real pine may be more glamorous, but if you’re generally strapped for cash it may be worth investing in an artificial tree you can use again and again.
Real Christmas trees
Order online
You don’t have to rock up to your local Christmas tree dealership - you can order online. Send Me a Christmas Tree has trees starting at £25 (but going into the triple figures) and free delivery.
Meanwhile Real Christmas Tree Land has real trees starting at £30 and a delivery charge of £9.99 for orders under £125. We suggest teaming up with the neighbours and placing an order worth £125 or more, so you can get delivery free (and also gain some communal Christmas spirit).
Visit a farm
Pick Your Own Christmas Tree is a directory of farms selling Christmas trees. You can find out which ones are nearest you. Most don’t list prices, but you can contact them directly and then go there and select the exact one you fancy. Sometimes, doing things old-school gets you exactly what you want.
Find a pop-up shop
Most don't appear until December and often have little advertising: You can try searching on Google Maps, check your local paper or just keep your eyes peeled as you walk around the neighbourhood.
If you're based in London, the Christmas Forest sells Christmas trees and there's always Homebase, with a wide range of different styles of real Christmas tree.
Buy from a charity
Caring Christmas Trees sells trees in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, while Community Christmas Trees is a social enterprise in London.
Artificial Christmas trees
Buy from the high street
If you buy from a supermarket, you’ll often get the option of paying for delivery or picking it up for free. Argos, Tesco, John Lewis and B&Q are all selling them this year, with buying from a bigger brand having many benefits, such as clubcard points or discount codes.
Buy online
If you like your Christmas funky, (we're talking light-up white roses instead of a tree and maple leaf trees), Christmas Tree and Lights has a wide range of artificial trees including fibre optic ones that change colour as you watch.
Find a preloved tree
If you’re on a budget, you can look for a second-hand artificial tree on sites like Gumtree, Preloved or Freecycle.
How to take care of your tree
If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure you place it in a pot with water. According to the National Christmas Tree Association, this is the best way to make sure it stays fresh. You can find out more about caring for your Christmas tree here.
When to take Christmas decorations down
Check out our handy guide on what the twelfth night means and when to take Christmas decorations down for 2018.