The Bushy Fraser Christmas Fir

While there is no denying that artificial trees prove good value for money and are convenient, a real Christmas tree really captures the magic of Christmas in its fresh green foliage and wonderful pine scent. When dressed with lights and ornaments, the fresh Christmas tree really brings the festive spirit into any home, whether traditional or modern. Think of Chevy Chase with the Christmas Vacation, the movie ‘The House Without a Christmas Tree’ (yes it exists). Other favourites are:

•    It’s a Wonderful Life
•    A Charlie Brown Christmas
•    Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
•    How the Grinch Stole Christmas
•    Frosty the Snowman

UK-based fresh Christmas tree growers and retailers are increasingly aware of the need to be environmentally friendly and all trees are grown with this in mind. Until recently, most real Christmas trees sold in the UK were imported, but British Christmas tree farms are now producing a much wider variety of species – thus, far less fuel is being used to transport trees over long distances. Also, for each tree cut another one is planted, ensuring that each farm sustains its own production.

The Nobal Fir christmas Tree

Many farms offer a ‘green’ tree disposal service, whereby they collect your used tree from your door and dispose of it in an environmentally friendly way (such as recycling it into wood chips). So to do many local councils in the weeks after Christmas, most of those in London place the tree outside the front door and wait for it to magically disappear! Well it is Christmas.

There are literally hundreds of Christmas tree farms across the UK, and it really is fun for all the family to go and choose a Christmas tree from one of these farms. It offers a means of getting together in the fresh air and entering into the festive spirit – some farms help families to do by this displaying festive decorations and hosting other seasonal activities, such as displaying real reindeer. In choosing a tree yourself from a Christmas tree farm, you can be sure of its freshness or you can buy online.

Norway Spruce christmas Tree

For the best customer service, use well established real Christmas tree providers, preferably those who are members of the BCTGA (British Christmas Tree Growers Association).

If you do decide to buy your tree over the internet, be sure to take advantage of online offers, such as free delivery or discounts. Some online retailers even offer a Christmas decoration service for a modest fee.

The Norman Fir is the country’s favourite due to its soft foliage and excellent needle retention. However, there are other varieties on offer, such as the Noble Fir, Fraser fir and Norway Spruce, and pot-grown trees are also on offer – after Christmas, these can be kept in their pots or planted outside in the garden.

Artificial Xmas trees have become increasingly popular in modern times; they can be used year after year, are conveniently stored and require less maintenance than a real tree, making them the perfect choice for many busy families.

Quality artificial Xmas trees can look incredibly authentic, thanks to modern technology, and there is a wide range to choose from:

•    Pre-lit
•    Pre-decorated
•    Fibre optic trees

Artificial Xmas trees come in many colours, both traditional and modern, and are made from flame-retardant materials. There really is an artificial Xmas tree to suit every home.

Real Xmas trees are a firm favourite with many families at Christmas time. In keeping with tradition, some like to choose and then decorate their real tree with

Real Christmas Tree

festive ornaments and lights. This is usually an evergreen conifer and the fir species is mainly used, on account of its lovely fresh scent and excellent needle retention. Real Xmas trees can be seen displayed over the festive season across towns and city centres, and these are usually on a large scale and look very impressive indeed.

White Xmas Trees were popular for many years before their popularity declined a few years ago, but now the white tree is in demand once more. White is reminiscent of frost and snow and all things ‘Christmassy’, and the white Xmas tree allows the spirit of Christmas to be brought into the home. The white sparkling branches provide a stunning backdrop for darker-coloured ornaments, and adding lights only adds to this effect. The popularity of the white Xmas tree is partly down to its versatility; it can be made to look traditional when dressed in the traditional Christmas colours, or ultra modern when decorated in more contemporary colours such as black or purple. Obviously, the majority of white Xmas trees are artificial, but fresh green trees are available that have been frosted or flocked to give a ‘caught in a snowstorm’ look, and these can look very effective.

Pre-lit Xmas trees are the ultimate in convenience. For most people, the most time-consuming and annoying part of decorating the Xmas tree is putting on the lights. With a pre-lit tree, you simply hang on the decorations, plug in and…the work is done! For the ultimate in convenience for the ultra-busy family or the workplace, there is the pre-lit, pre-decorated Xmas tree.

White artificial Christmas tree

Whilst many people still favour the traditional green Christmas tree, in recent times there has been a surge in popularity of the white tree. This is down to the nostalgia associated with the white Christmas, and families look to the white tree to bring the magic of this nostalgia into the home – there is something strangely comforting about bringing a cool snowy tree into the warmth of the house.

For obvious reasons, the majority of white Christmas trees are artificial. The only ones that aren’t are spray painted real firs. Many of the tree branches are made from sparkling white tinsel, but some are actually green trees, with frosting or flocking over the branches. These trees look as though they have been caught in a heavy snowfall, and can look very authentic. If you are interested in buying a flocked tree, please be aware that flocking does go yellow over time – this can be delayed by storing the Christmas tree between 25 to 30C degrees and away from areas of high humidity.

If you really want a white christmas tree but prefer fresh rather than artifiical, why not spray its branches white? You can buy artificial snow in cans, and just randomly spraying the branches can be surprisingly effective.

Busy living means that the convenience of an artificial tree appeals to many families, and other reasons that they appeal are:

• They are maintenance-free – no watering required or fallen needles to pick up.

• Value for money. A good quality artificial Christmas tree will look good for years, saving money in the long term.

• Health reasons. Many people are allergic to pine needles.

• No nonsense, no mess. Just take out of box, assemble, decorate, and hey presto!

• Authenticity. Modern manufacturing techniques have ensured that good quality artificial trees look as good as the real thing

• Fire-safety. When dried out, fresh Christmas trees can pose a fire hazard, but good quality artificial trees are made from flame-retardant materials.

• Choice. There is an unlimited selection of artificial Christmas trees on the market to suit all tastes.

Example of a Fake Christmas Tree

The customer really is spoilt for choice when choosing an artificial tree. As well as the traditional green variety, the modern artificial tree is available a wide range of contemporary colours such as pink, neon green, gold, silver, purple, and even black! Added to this are the different decorative finishing touches to a tree – some are flocked with white to give the impression of being snow-covered, whilst others are more subtly frosted at the tips. Some are available with berries and/or pine cones attached, whilst others come pre-lit and/or fully decorated in attractive colour schemes.

Fibre optic artificial Christmas trees are always popular as you just plug in to see a beautiful array of colours, and there are indoor and outdoor versions available.

For the ultra contemporary household, there are artificial Christmas trees made from silver wire, and these require no decoration so are perfect for the busy professional. Other modern trees come in striking two-tone colourways, such as blue-black. More recently, upside-down Christmas trees have come onto the market – these look great decorated and allow more space at the bottom for placing all those presents! Also available for those short of living space are the wall-mounted and slim artificial Christmas trees.

Most artificial Christmas trees are made in China, and the majority of these meet British fire regulations. In the interests of safety, make sure that this is always the case if you purchase an artificial Christmas tree.

Some companies even offer artificial Christmas tree hire, ideal for decorating the office!

Do you think artifical Christmas trees are better than real christmas trees?

Aritifical Christmas Tree

The word ‘fake’ often brings to mind a poor copy of the real thing, but this is not the case with the artificial Christmas tree – advanced technology means that quality fake trees look amazingly authentic. The first artificial trees of the nineteenth century were made of green-dyed goose feathers wound onto sticks, whilst the first modern fake trees were made from bristles dyed pine-green which were inserted into twisted wires, forming branches. The branches were then added to a wooden pole, the trunk. While these fake trees could look attractive at Xmas, they were a crude representation of a real Christmas tree.

As time went on, artificial Christmas trees began to closely imitate the real tree. Brown ‘needles’ were woven into the green ones to resemble the branches of the real pine tree, and this became more realistic as time went on. The good-quality fake trees of today have multiple branches with more tips, just like a real one, and these come hinged to the ‘trunk’. True needle technology has been developed, and the foliage on such quality fake trees looks very convincing indeed.

With the fake Christmas tree, you usually get what you pay for. Authentic looking trees will be more expensive whilst the cheaper trees will obviously not look as real – an advantage of the fake Christmas tree is that there is a wide range available, with something to suit every budget. Whichever fake tree you decide on, make sure that it meets all safety regulations

There is no such thing as a uniform ‘best’ Christmas tree. Each family looks for different things from their Christmas tree, and so what is ‘best’ to one may not necessarily be so to another.

Magnificent Christmas Tree

Choosing a tree at Christmas is based on so many factors – budget, décor, room size, space – that it is a hugely personal choice. The huge scope of trees and decorations available on the market makes the choosing and decorating of your Christmas tree even more personal. Here are a few tips to ensure that you get the best possible Christmas tree for you:

Choose your tree carefully. Do you want real or artificial Christmas tree? Tall or small? Free-standing or table-top? Pre-lit? with decorations? Once you have addressed all this, choosing your Christmas tree should become easier.

If you buy a real Christmas tree, make sure that it is as fresh as possible. Buy early to avoid disappointment, and from a reputable retailer. Look for rich green trees with either no or few brown needles, and a strong scent is a good indicator of freshness. Gently shaking a tree is also a good way to test whether it is fresh – few needles should fall off, if any at all. Remember, some types of fir, such as the Nordman fir, retain their needles longer than others. Avoid wilting trees or stiff and brittle branches – these are all signs of an old tree.

Your tree needs to be looked after well at home if it is to thrive (in the case of a fresh tree). Keep well-watered and away from direct heat such as fires and radiators, as excess warmth dries out a tree and it will not last over the festive period. Trees will drink at least half a litre of water a day if allowed.

If you buy an artificial tree, buy a good quality one. Like anything in life you pay for what you get and hopefully this tree will be kept with you for a decade or more.

By taking into account all the above, you will have the best Christmas tree you could possibly have. By the time you have added those carefully-chosen decorations and lights, you will be in no doubt that you really do have the best Christmas tree in the neighbourhood!