'Tis the Season

Image via DartPhoto Instagram

That's right--it's that time of year again! The 1st of December has passed, which means it is 100% acceptable to blast Wham's "Last Christmas" and break out the Baileys. It also means time for Christmas trees, the fresh scent of pine filling the house and holly berries galore! Winter has graced us with its freezing and windy presence, shops have painted the windows with holiday decorations, and pretty soon we'll all be sat around with our families drinking warm drinks and celebrating the season. Since a REAL Christmas tree is a must (I cannot stress this enough), a little guide on the "where's and how-to's" seemed appropriate to post.

Image via Pinterest

1). Type of Tree: There is no "typical" Christmas tree--and no, they don't all look the same. There are three major families of Christmas trees, which should all be available at your local tree lot. Firs, Spruces, and Pines are the most common, but most people don't know the difference! Firs and Pines have a better needle cling, meaning they won't leave droppings all over your floor or table, while Spruces tend to have much stronger branches (perfect for hanging those heavy ornaments). Make sure to consider all types before taking one home!

2). Where to Buy?: I've always wondered this myself, so it took a bit of research. Being in a major city, there is really no room to set up 50-100 trees and sell them, but there must be somewhere! Pines and Needles and The Christmas Forest seem to be the leaders of the tree selling pack, with a wide variety of trees and multiple locations across the city. For more information, visit them at http://www.pinesandneedles.com and http://www.christmasforest.co.uk. They also do a delivery service…but where is the fun in that? Personally, I like to pick my tree myself. What if it has big holes or something?!

3). No Space? No Problem: Living in a city and wanting a 10' Christmas tree poses a problem…so something to consider with the holiday season approaching is space. I know if I got a Christmas tree in my little Camden flat, I'd have to step over it to get to the bathroom, the kitchen, and the front door. Could I get one of those dinky 3' tall ones? Probably not. If you're like me, the best thing to do is settle for a fresh wreath, swag, or garland! they're all equally as festive, you can still decorate them with ribbons or ornaments, and they smell lovely! If greenery is a completely unviable option, think outside of the box! A pretty dried fruit hanging smells lovely when mixed with cinnamon sticks and cloves, or think of ways to make a tree out of non-traditional things. Below are some examples.

above images via pinterest and instagram