Why you should choose a living Christmas tree this year
They're more attractive than plastic trees, they don't shed like cut trees, you can reuse them, and they help the environment too. Gone are the days of destroying Norwegian forests in order to get hold of trees - you can buy them from sustainable plantations in England, with every tree taken replaced. The Christmas tree "farms" themselves protect eco-systems by acting as a buffer against erosion and contamination from nearby waterways, as well as absorbing C02 emissions. When the tree finally dies, it becomes useful compost - rather than just ending up as landfill like a plastic tree. Visit The British Christmas Tree Growers Association for more information.
Don't forget to use environmentally friendly decorations on your tree, rather than forking out for tinsel and more bits of novelty plastic tat. You can be creative and make ornaments from salt dough, or just paint up and recycle some bits of rubbish. Slices of dried orange painted with varnish also look particularly pretty hanging from a tree, as well as not being particularly hard to make. Tying ribbons into the tree makes for an attractive effect as well. If you can't live without Christmas lights in your tree, then make sure you get the more energy efficient LED version.
Related: Deck the halls with boughs of holly: how to keep your decorations green this Christmas.
