Advent THINGS TO DO THIS

I’m not a fan of premature Christmas decorating but with Stir-up Sunday this weekend, and Advent looming, it’s time to get the tree sorted.

While there’s no right or wrong time to put your Christmas tree up, Advent starts four Sundays before

Christmas day, making Sunday, November 27 the traditional date this year.

Some folk prefer to decorate their houses on December 1, or there are those, like me, who usually drag a tree home, like a wounded wildebeest, around the second weekend of December. Or when I finally track down all our old boxes of decorations.

But the big argument every year is – do you buy a real or fake tree?

Which is the most economic and also environmentally friendly?

The Carbon Trust says a 6ft artificial tree has a carbon footprint of around 40kg, more than 10 times that of a real tree that’s burned after Christmas. Put simply, you have to reuse an artificial tree 10 times to negate its carbon footprint, which means you need to choose an artificial tree that’s a good long-term investment.

However, a one-off purchase of a real tree can be a waste of money if you’re on a budget, and then you need to buy a Uk-grown one to be kinder to the planet. And actually recycle it rather than dumping it in a plastic bag by the kerb for landfill. This year I’m buying a 5ft real fir from The Dark Lord’s school, so at least they will benefit from my purchase.

But half of all Christmas trees bought in the UK are artificial, so here’s my selection from Christmas Tree World (christmastreeworld.co.uk, 01257 754795). 1) Budget option –

3ft Woodland Pine Tree, from £29.99 2) Most natural looking – 5ft Mountain Pine Tree, £59.99 3) Blow the budget – 6ft Pre-lit Frosted Ultra Mountain Pine, £229.99