We may all have to economise this Christmas, but a Christmas tree should be one thing we can´t go without. The magic starts with a trip to a Garden or plant centre, such as the many excellent ones around Brighton, to choose that special one which suits you. Then the magic continues when you get home and can spend an evening decorating it. They are the things which tradition and memories are made of , but it is important to choose the right tree for your home .

The traditional tree, and until recently really the only one widely available, is the Norway Spruce. It is still one of the most popular buys, often the least expensive and a nice traditional shape. Its needles are also quite soft , so it is a nice easy tree for little fingers to decorate. It can , however, loose its needles quite badly so you need to follow a few tips. Cut the bottom off when you get it home and into water as soon as possible. Use a clamp style container, not soil or sand , and keep the water topped up all the time.

There are now several varieties available which hold onto their needles much better and the most popular of these is the Nordman Fir. It has a lovely conical shape, dark green needles and is not too dense. It has excellent needle retention but will cost more than the Norway Spruce.

If you can find one, the Fraser Fir has all the same properties as the Norway Spruce , but is not so wide and so better suited to small rooms.

The Scots Pine has the best needle retention of all and also has a wonderful pine smell. It does however have very long needles and is very bushy so it is maybe better suited to larger houses or for workplaces , pubs and similar.

Good garden and plant centres will have a variety of sizes and types of Christmas trees for you to choose from and you may also consider a pot grown one. They will be on the smaller size and initially more expensive, but can be an investment for th future and the start of another family tradition.