Log in to My Time Out for your personalised guide to what's on in London. It's fast, easy and FREE!
If you've already unearthed last year's decorations, that's half the job done. Now it's time to choose a Christmas tree. Keep things simple with Time Out's tips on which type to get, where to buy, online delivery and how to get rid of your tree in the New Year.
Think all Christmas trees look the same? What are you, some kind of tree-racist? Needly evergreens, as any botanist will tell you, belong to three different families: spruces, firs and pines. Firs are popular (and expensive) as they don’t shed their needles. Ask your tree grocer which is which.
Do you know how high your ceiling is? Do not buy a tree until you do. Also, remember that a trussed-up spruce will expand once you get the netting off. You can always chop away unnecessary branches. A spindly six-footer can be trimmed to a classic teardrop-shaped four-footer without too much work (although remember that children under 12 should not handle chainsaws unsupervised).
Two big Christmas tree giants dominate the London fir scene: Pines & Needles and The Christmas Forest. They both have branches (no pun intended) across the capital. Pines & Needles (0845 4582788) stocks five types of tree from the Norway Spruce (£19.95 for a 3ft to £62.95 for a 9ft) to the non-drop Nordmann Fir (£27.95 for a 3ft to £86.95 for a 9ft). Taller sizes in both trees are available at selected areas in central London. You can also bag a mini white spruce Christmas tree at just £14.95 for 1ft.
The Christmas Forest stocks four different varieties, including the classic Norway Spruce (£18 for 4ft to £42 for 8ft) and the non-drop Nordmann Fir (£19 for 2ft to £150 for 12ft). If you’re tightening your belt this year, hang on until December 6, when the Richmond branch introduces its budget trees – £29 for a 5ft to £41 for a 7ft.
Pines & Needles deliver a range of trees, complete with decorations if you so wish, and you can even have them take it away when it’s ready for the chipper (NB: Your council should also recycle trees – see www.recycleforlondon.com). Prices are as varied as the trees on offer, but it does promise to beat any quote. You can get UK-grown trees from Stockeld Park in Yorkshire – around £30 for a 4ft tree, plus £8 delivery. If you want deluxe Christmas lights for your tree, Xmas Direct has an impressive selection – from tiny fairy lights to huge glowing nets that you can drape over your entire house.
Share your thoughts