Christmas tree tips
It will soon be time to get your Christmas tree and decorate it. Use our tips to make your tree the best and brightest one yet!
Pick the right tree
Make sure in fits into the living room or wherever it is going. If it's too big you won't be able to get round it!
Keep your tree green
Cut the stump of the tree with a fresh cut and set it in water immediately. A fresh-cut tree will absorb several litres of water right from the start. So it's important to check and refill the water for the first week.
Decorate in the right order
Put lights on first, then the tinsel and finally add the ornaments and baubles. Remember to check the lights are working before you put them on the tree!
Light work
Start arranging Christmas tree lights on the branches near the base of the tree. Weave strings of lights along the branches "inside," then move to the outer edges of the branches.
Don't hang all your baubles on the tips of the branches. Place decorations on the inner branches to add depth and interest. Make sure each style or decoration is evenly spaced around the tree. And no hiding the chocolates where only you can find them!
Personalise it
Make your tree reflect you. Use ornaments which show why your tree is different to others. Make your own use paper, photos, glue and glitter. It's great fun to do! Finally, remember to add a star or fairy at the top of the tree!
Did you know?
• On Christmas Day 1800, King George III's wife Queen Charlotte held a party at Windsor Castle which included Britain's first recorded Christmas tree!
• Every year, Norway gives Britain a huge Christmas tree as a present of friendship between the two countries. It's put up in Trafalgar Square in London.
• The world's tallest living Christmas tree is in the Styx Valley in Tasmania, Australia. It's 84m tall and has more than 3,000 solar-powered lights on it!