When should you put your Christmas tree up and should you buy a real one or artificial?
In Victorian times, Christmas trees were put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve
IT is time for Christmas trees across the country to go up as Brits to start feel festive.
But when should you put your Christmas tree up, and should you always get a real one?
When should you put your Christmas tree up?
In Victorian times, Christmas trees were put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, but in today’s day and age, this would be considered far too late.
In modern times, trees are generally put up at the beginning of December as Brits get themselves into a festive mood.
According to the British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), it is fine to get trees up from December 1 onwards, but the middle of the festive season is a good compromise to ensure they don't shed their needles early.
There are those among us who like to get their decorations up as soon as Halloween is out of the way – but for the majority of the British public, this is taking it a bit too far.
Some people put their trees up at the beginning of Advent –the fourth Sunday before Christmas so for 2018, this date would be December 2.
In some communities, it is tradition to put up the Christmas tree on December 6, in honour of Saint Nicholas Day.
For traditionalists, the correct time to put up the Christmas tree is 12 days before Christmas Day, on December 13, 2018.
So, there really is no longer a right time to do it – if you’re already feeling festive, why not go for it?
Should you buy a real tree or an artificial one?
There are so many arguments for both kinds of Christmas trees – but where do you fall?
For some people, the joy of Christmas begins with the purchase of a real Christmas tree, complete with the natural fresh pine smell.
People also say that real trees are better for the environment, as they are very sustainable, the dead ones can then be turned into compost.
However, artificial trees are flame-retardant, meaning they are extremely safe both in homes and public spaces.
They are also great for allergy sufferers, and are the trees of choice for all hospitals in the country.
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One of the greatest benefits of an artificial tree is the cost, as they can be used year after year.
And with the introduction of fuller, pre-lit trees, they are definitely giving their real counterparts a run for their money.
They are also less hassle for cleaning up, as there are no dropping needles from a fake tree.