When should you put up your Christmas tree? Our tree guide has the answers - and some advice

Dressing the Christmas tree is a highlight of the year
-Credit: (Image: iStockphoto)


Most of us look to Christmas to add a bit of much-needed sparkle and cheer to life.

At a time of gloomy weather and gloomier news stories all affecting our mood, it's no surprise that people are looking forward to decorating their homes for the season. For many, now seems to be the time that thoughts turn to the question of when would be a good time to decorate the tree.

Even for those who don't enjoy an early build-up to Christmas, there's no escaping the fact that festive decorations are a cheery sight and family homes tend to take their lead from shops, streets and restaurants across the North East. Some families like to be quick off the mark and, with Newcastle's illuminations already bringing colour to city streets, others are set to follow.

Read more: guide to where to buy real Christmas trees around the North East

Whether your annual tree-planning involves just dragging an increasingly-spindly tinsel sprig from storage or is a full-out family excursion to buy the real deal, the issue - once you’ve deliberated over fir, spruce or pine - of picking the right time to decorate can be a hotly-contested one. There’s no right or wrong of course but, given the early flurry of Christmas adverts, you could be forgiven for already thinking that you're a bit slow in digging out that box of half-broken baubles and fairylights.

Is it nearly time yet?
Is it nearly time yet? -Credit:North Devon Journal / SWNS.com

Increasingly, December 1 is seen as an optimum time to deck the tree - but will that mean the kids’ build-up of excitement will lose momentum before the big day and, in the case of real trees, will there be more needles on the floor than on its branches by the time you sit down to Christmas dinner? In the past, the tree would be put up on the afternoon of Christmas Eve - so you can imagine the sudden impact on children of seeing it for the first time just ahead of their most eagerly-anticipated day of the year.

These days that’s considered far too late by most people and, again for those who buy a real tree, it simply wouldn’t leave long enough for families to enjoy it. And it’s always sad to see beautiful trees cast aside near the bins post-Christmas while still in their first flush of youth.

Traditionalists tend to think the right time is 12 days before Christmas. The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA) has previously agreed that from December 1 is fine but suggests that December 11 can be a good compromise, being in the middle of the season and a couple of weeks or so after Advent.

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas so that actually makes it December 1 this year (and it ends on Christmas Eve). This should mean that fresh trees will remain in tip-top condition for longer.

Christmas trees at Cowell's Garden Centre
Christmas trees at Cowell's Garden Centre

Trees that shed few needles are increasingly popular but other buyers disregard that to opt for one with the best smell of pine. Real trees are, of course, best locally-sourced and recently-cut and there are plenty places to buy them across the North East.

Those netted just before you take them home will be in better shape because the more time spent in the net means the more strain will be placed upon the branches, causing them to dehydrate sooner. And avoid standing the tree next to a radiator if possible.

Remember to saw off a further 2.5cm from the bottom of the truck of a cut tree once it’s home so that it is better able to ‘drink’ - and don’t forget to keep it watered as it will be taking up a lot in its first few days. Smaller trees - about three feet tall - in pots will absorb water well as their roots are still attached and, hopefully, these will continue to grown when re-planted outside in January.

The next big question to prepare for, post-festivities, will be when do we take the Christmas tree down? Well, there’s disagreement about that too.

There are always lots of fun festive events for families to enjoy around the North East over the Christmas season
Putting up the tree is often a highlight of the Christmas season for families -Credit:SHARED CONTENT UNIT

The tree should be down by the 12th day of Christmas - this date marks the Epiphany which is the day the Three Wise Men visited the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem and it marks the official end of the festive season. The Twelfth Night, the evening of the Epiphany, falls on January 6 - but that’s if you count December 26 as the being first day.

Other people count Christmas Day as the first of the twelve days, thus making January 5 the Twelfth Night and they will take the tree and decorations down then.