Tradition states that a Christmas tree should be put up at the beginning of advent which begins on the four Sundays before Christmas, but many of us are opting to put up our trees earlier and earlier to help extend that glorious festive feeling in our homes. If you have an artificial tree then there’s no worries about it still looking perfect when the 25th December wraps around, but if you’re decorating a real tree then it’s worth noting that they last around five weeks (or possibly less for budget options).

Start the decorating process by clearing a spot for your tree and setting it up in a pot or stand. If you’re decorating a real tree, you should give it some time to settle into place. Removing the netting and leaving it overnight in its stand will allow its branches to drop into an easier position for decorating and bauble hanging. An artificial tree might require some fluffing up to look its best. Either way, it’s easier to do these bits before the actual decorating of your tree.

There are plenty of benefits to choosing a real Christmas tree, from its full, traditional appearance to the fresh, festive scent of its pine needles. There's also the fun of picking one out and bringing home a tree that's uniquely yours to decorate. With proper care, a real Christmas tree can last five weeks or more, so if you put yours up in late November, it should still look lovely by Christmas Day. However, real trees can be more expensive than artificial alternatives, particularly larger trees and certain species, and they need a little more upkeep, with regular sweeping or vacuuming to clear away fallen needles. Popular varieties include Norway Spruce, Nordmann Fir, Blue Spruce and Fraser Fir, each offering its own distinctive look.