Buying your Christmas Tree

There's so many places to buy Christmas trees, it can be difficult to choose the best one. A good place to start is on the British Christmas Tree Growers Association website where you'll find a list of retail sites and if you live near Braintree then come along to Great Slamseys Farm to see what we have to offer. All our trees are displayed in our large barn so even on dark wet evenings you can choose your tree in a light, dry area. Wherever you go, make sure you take a good look at the trees. If they're in nets then it's difficult to tell whether they have a good shape and they may be second grade trees, which is fine if you're not too fussy about your tree, but not a good idea otherwise.

So find a tree that's the right height. You will have remembered to measure up first won't you? Check the overall shape; some people like a skinny tree, some like a wide bushy tree. Take your pick. When you've found a tree you like, give it a bang on the ground. A few needles will probably fall off but if the floor is covered with needles then put the tree back and pick another.

A good Christmas tree seller will put your tree through the netting machine so that you can transport it home and then let the fun begin.