Where to put the Christmas tree

If you are putting up your own Christmas decorations this year, you may be one of a diminishing number of people. Instagram seems full of time-lapse reels illustrating the growing trend for getting the professionals in to decorate for Christmas.

It’s not just those decorating on a huge scale either, such as the Chatsworth Christmas tree which took the design team a reported ten hours to put on 4,000 lights and 4,500 baubles. The time-poor with more modest homes are also turning to the professionals rather than digging their trusty old tree out of the loft and covering it with the children’s homemade decorations. There are countless examples of teams of people decorating not just an outsized tree in the hallway but the stairs and front door, where the humble wreath is frequently abandoned in favour of a full-on Christmas arch.

Another growing trend seems to be for people to go earlier and earlier with their decorations. This may be partly down to the rising cost of a Christmas tree and the desire to get more value for money out of it. Or it may be down to a general despair with what is going on in the wider world so wanting some light and sparkle during a gloomy time.

If you are doing your own decorating, one of the biggest decisions to make is where to put the tree as it is so central to the festive season. It’s one people even consider when viewing prospective houses to buy, with a substantial hall a big selling point for those who want a tree that slots in the middle of the staircase and reaches up to the ceiling. Or a converted barn, with double-storey height, is another draw for those looking for a home for an imposing tree. 

Most people don’t have a big enough hallway so end up putting the tree in the drawing room. This avoids the need for two trees as one issue with having it in the hallway is that you can’t see it from the sitting room or wherever you will be on Christmas morning and open your presents.

Smell is extremely evocative. Freshly brewed coffee or baking bread have long been traditional strategies used by those trying to sell a property. But if you are marketing your home at this time of year you can’t beat the smell of pine that comes from a real Christmas tree. Cinnamon, mulled wine, the log burner blazing away in the sitting room – all combine to give a lovely cosy feeling that makes your home more attractive to would-be buyers and brings it to life.

Ultimately, Christmas decorations are a very personal thing. Whether you are adorning a real tree in hand-picked baubles collected over many years (my preference) or trying to out-do your friends on a competitive wreath-making course, have a very merry Christmas.