If you go by what the décor experts predict, burgundy, Barbie pink and ice-cold blues palettes will be all the rage this year when it comes to Christmas Tree trends.
Once upon a time in the not so refined fashions of the 1980s Christmas décor (if we can even use that word) equated to a fake tree bedecked with multi-coloured lights and swamped with every shade of tinsel available as well as horrendous foil baubles.
Back then a traditional deep green fir (often fake) was the only way to go. These days, however, there’s so much more choice when it comes to the colour, size, shape and general aesthetic of your Christmas tree.
But it must be said nothing compares to a real Christmas tree as the festive focus for your home. Not only do they look like something out of a picture-perfect Dickensian Christmas card, but their evergreen fragrance evokes the unmistakable essence of the season.
Today the yuletide season is synonymous with the Christmas tree but it wasn’t always the case. Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it today as far back as the 16th century when people-built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles.
Then in 1846, the popular British royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree. Victoria was extremely popular with her subjects at the time and the sketch did wonders for the Christmas tree trend.
The most popular type of tree to be found in UK homes is still the Nordmann Fir. These are full bushy trees with thick needles which make them great for decorating with the kids. They grow slowly and can take a decade to reach 6ft.
The Norway Spruce is also a popular choice. This harks back to Victorian times and boasts full scented firm branches. Because they drop their needles quite regularly, they are ideal as an outside Christmas tree.
So where can you get your perfect festive fir this month in Hertfordshire? Whether you want to make a day of it perusing a tree forest or you want be eco-friendly and ‘rent’ a tree, here’s a guide of where to pick your tree…
DANE END CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, WARE
This Aladdin’s cave of spruces is Christmas tree heaven for festive buffs. The farm grown quality Christmas trees including the Nordmann Fir, Fraser Fir, Norway Spruce and Sebastian Spruce. Stroll through the farm’s floodlit forest and chose your perfect tree to take home. The farm also has a brand new coffee shop for this year where you can grab a hot chocolate and warm up after perusing the trees. Open everyday from November 25 until Christmas from 9am-5pm. christmastree-farm.co.uk
THE REAL CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, ASHRIDGE, BERKHAMSTED
This farm is an enchanting Christmas Tree wonderland surrounded by lush forests and greenery. Visitors can walk through the woodland as they select the tree, they want to take home. The trees are all grown and loved wit care to ensure they last the whole of the festive season. And there are all shapes and sizes- whether you want a three-footer to 35 ft tall tree, you’ll find it here. Open from late November to December 23, 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday and 10am-4pm on Sunday. realchristmastreefarm.co.uk
LANNOCK CHRISTMAS TREES, HITCHIN
Open from November 24 to Christmas Day, Lannock Manor Farm is the place to go to buy a freshcut, Herfordshire-grown tree. The familty run farm is located in the village of Weston and its trees are freshly cut in the Chilreen Hills. Staff will help you make your selection and delivery is available. The traditional spruce is a bigseller here. The farm is open from 10am to 7pm weekdays and 10am to 5pm weekends. lannockchristmastrees.com
THE CHRISTMAS TREE PLACE, BERKHAMSTED
This huge farm believes scouting out your Christmas Tree should be a fun family experience – and they aim to make it so. They have been growing Christmas trees since 1991 and selling them for even longer. They have thousands of Christmas trees to choose from, grown in the heart of the Chilterns. After you have chosen your tree staff will cut the bottom and wrap it for your car. Visit website for opening times. christmastreeplace.co.uk
CHESHAM CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, CHESHAM
With thousands of freshly Christmas trees to chose from the family-run farm, which had been growing Christmas trees for 28 years, plants at least one new tree for everyone they sell. Choose which tree you want then staff will wrap and net it for you and even help carry it to your car. You’ll also find festive lights and tree stands in the shop. Open seven days a week from late November until the end of December. christmastreefarm.co.uk
THE WALLED GARDEN, STANDSTEAD BURY FARM, STANSTEAD ABBOTS
Eco enthusiasts will love this sustainable way of doing Christmas. Basically, you will ‘rent’ a tree from the Walled Garden farm. They will deliver it to your door with its roots still attached and then collect and replant it after the holidays ready to rent again the following year. This year the trees are still growing and most of them are 3-4ft tall. thewalledgardenherts.com
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS, STEVENAGE
One of the largest Christmas tree shops in the county, the venue aims to give shoppers a magical Christmas experience. As well as trees the shop sells everything, you’ll need to decorate your tree, with garlands, lights and decorations, there’s also a cosy Santa’s grotto to really make the trip worthwhile as well as a tearoom selling cream teas and hot chocolate. Open seven days a week from October to Christmas. Themagicofchistmas.netis
HATFIELD CHRISTMAS TREES, HATFIELD HOUSE
From budget trees to eco friendly plant- your -own to potted trees and traditional firs you’ll find them here. Pick and go or get free local delivery. Trees comes in all shapes and sizes and to fit all price ranges- from £20 upwards. Open seven days a week right up to Christmas Eve from 9am to 8pm. hatfieldchristmastrees.co.uk
