It’s a given that most of us still prefer a Nordmann Fir and it’s the most eco-friendly way to approach Christmas – getting a real tree grown locally. If you are in the Cork area visit Blackrock Hurling Club where you’ll find living trees in pots in different sizes from 3ft – 6ft, ranging in prices from €40 to €75; (www.christmastree.ie). This year, customers who purchase one of IKEA’s real Christmas trees for €30 will receive a €15 IKEA voucher to spend in store. The store encourages customers to recycle their tree for composting or handing them over to the local community to ensure they’re responsibly disposed of.

There’s something magical about an empty tree – it’s a blank canvas on which to show your personality and creativity. Some people prefer to stick to tried and trusted traditional themes such as gold, silver or red, adding new decorations in these colourways each year, while others look to trends.

At Marks & Spencer, for example, one of its key trends for 2021 is “Go Boldly” a contemporary look that combines a vibrant palette with quirky details such as rainbow lightning bolts, neon stars, glitter and star-shaped ornaments. The emphasis is on sparking joy also seen at Fernhill Home & Garden Centre, Athlone, which has just launched its impressive new Christmas store. Fernhill’s experts have curated five themes including “Winter Joy” and “Bright Luxury” (pictured below), stocking a range of Irish-made decorations too (www.fernhill.ie). Pop in and have a look if you are in the area and don’t leave without coffee in its acclaimed Savoury Fare restaurant.

But how to dress your tree professionally? According to Chrissie Rucker, owner/founder of The White Company, “To create a balanced, visually pleasing tree, buy baubles in threes, sixes and twelves and add these on first in a Z formation.” Rucker recommends 80 baubles for a 7.5ft tree and also advises that larger baubles are best kept to the centre of a tree to give it more depth, using smaller ones towards the ends of the branches.

As for lights, start from the bottom and work upwards; you need at least 170 lights per metre for a tree. Says Rucker, “Our regular cluster lights have 960 lights, but for maximum impact, we love the extra-long cluster, which has 2,000 bulbs.”

Here’s where to find pretty decorations this weekend …

Main featured image: The White Company