Whether sprinkling tinsel over everything means Christmas has arrived in your house or a small tree simply lit with sparkling lights, the tradition of decorating our homes can be an unforgettable part of the festive season for children. With such a busy time of year it can be tempting to cut some of the chores of Christmas down to a bare minimum to save the time and hassle. But with a little planning, something as simple as decorating the tree can create a lasting memory.

A great place to start is to head out to your local forest center to pick out a real tree together. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/christmas has a map with a list of their sales centres. There are several varieties to choose from and the staff will be happy to help you find the perfect tree for your family. They will even have your tree properly wrapped for the journey home so all you have to do is find the perfect spot and start decorating.

Real trees are a more environmentally friendly choice, and you don’t have to find somewhere in your home to store it afterwards! (If your tree has roots it can be replanted, if not there are many associations that will come and collect it for a small donation, call your local council offices for further details). 

Smaller trees can look beautiful planted in a bucket and positioned on a table.  This will make the tree appear larger and you will have lots of room underneath for the all important presents! You might also find a small tree to take to grandparents, so the children can decorate with them. It will bring a bit of Christmas cheer to their home too, especially if they are unable to get out and about like they used to. Put the lights on first and then turn up the Christmas music and spend some time together hanging the ornaments. Having a theme (such as a colour, winter wildlife, seaside or retro) can be a fun way to decide what to put on your tree. The Forestry Commission is having a Best Dressed Tree competition, so be creative and send them a photograph of your family’s festive tree; you could win a pair of concert tickets, or have a lot of fun together trying! http://www.forestry.gov.uk/christmas