First off, think carefully about where to source your tree. Local is best, so keep a look out for signs directing you to your nearest tree farm. They should be able to tell you how best to care for your spruce - and hopefully reassure you that it's been well looked after since being felled.

Once it's in your hands, we recommend putting the base of the tree into a bucket of water to prevent dehydration. When you're ready to bring it inside, first bang the bottom of the tree on the ground a couple of times to shake off loose needles. Then chop about an inch off to break the natural seal on the base of the trunk so that the tree can take up as much water as it needs. And it does NEED water - about two pints to a gallon every day. Drying out is what makes Christmas trees shed their needles so avoiding overheating too (by placing it well away from direct heat sources, for example).

Alternatively, if you've a garden and a set of green fingers, it's worth considering a container-grown bushy tree from a garden centre, which you can plant out the back once Noel's been packed away. Don't restrict yourself to firs for this one; yews, hollies and rosemaries (thought by some to be the original Christmas tree) are great festive alternatives once you've decked them in baubles.

While we're on the subject of decorations, opt for LED lights to save money as well as energy over advent. Safety campaigners insist they're less of a fire hazard too - an all-round win, as far as we're concerned.

Finally, what to do to dispose of your tree. Rather than putting it out with the rubbish bins, we recommend you recycle after use. Your local authority might be advertising Christmas tree collection points, or check out DIY retailers or garden centres for similar schemes. Composting and wood chipping beats landfill waste every time.