PLANNING THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS TREE
Decorating the tree is set to be a key event this season: online sales of firs are already booming (with prelit and potted varieties being particularly popular) and many of us hoping to blast away the gloom of the year so far with something jolly.
There are, however, a few things to consider before putting in your order...
Time it right: Getting your tree in early is fine if it’s faux, but if you’re going for a real one, ordering too soon might leave you with a needleless trunk by Christmas day.
According to
Liam Lapping of online florist Flowercard (flowercard. co.uk), “Real Christmas trees last
4-6 weeks, if looked after. So, if you take your Christmas tree down straight after New Year’s Eve then you should order your tree to arrive on November 28. However, if you take your Christmas tree down on Twelfth Night, then your tree should go up on December 2.” Websites such as Croft & Cole (croftandcole.com) have a variety of trees to choose from and let you select your delivery date, from November 24 onwards.
Choose your tree carefully: One of the pitfalls of ordering online is getting the size right for your space.
John Lewis has added a new augmented reality function on its app that allows you to browse
the different shapes, sizes and colours of trees on its website and visualise how they will look in your room before you buy – it lets you play around with the decorations, too.
According to retailer Hayes Garden World (hayesgardenworld.co.uk), “slim” artificial trees, which fit more easily into smaller spaces, are already a trend.
And, for a tree that will fit into any sized space, you can’t go wrong with a mini version from Bloom & Wild (bloomandwild.com), a tiny real tree that arrives in a letter boxsized package, including lights and decorations.
Get inspiration online: With department stores shut, visiting Christmas shops for decorating inspo is not an option this year – but there are plenty of ideas online.
Liberty, which revealed its much-anticipated Christmas windows just before the lockdown started last week, will be keeping customers inspired with festive styling ideas on its website (libertylondon.com) and Instagram (@libertylondon).
While you’re on Instagram, start browsing the #christmastree hashtag around mid November for Christmas tree photographs from stylists and influencers – expect the rainbowthemed tree to be a trend this year in a show of support for the NHS – interior designer Sophie Robinson (@sophierobinsoninteriors) and blogger Emily Murray (@pinkhouseliving) are normally ahead of the curve with their colourful ideas.