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If you're hoping to bring a touch of regal magic to your Christmas this year, you might be interested to know that the Christmas tree tradition has royal origins.
Queen Charlotte, the German-born consort of George III, introduced the custom to Britain in 1800 with a festive yew tree displayed at Queen's Lodge, Windsor, for a Christmas Day celebration she hosted for local children. The idea quickly took hold, and she continued the practice across royal residences.
This tradition left a lasting impression on Charlotte's granddaughter, Princess Victoria, who, during her teenage years, wrote fondly in her diaries about the Christmas trees at Kensington Palace.
After Victoria became Queen, she and her husband Prince Albert cemented the Christmas tree as the centrepiece of British celebrations. An iconic 1848 illustration published in The Illustrated London News, depicting the Royal Family gathered around their beautifully decorated fir tree, set the trend for households across the nation.
Today, the Christmas tree remains the focal point of many homes during the festive season, making it well worth taking the time to choose the right one.
We spoke to Mac Harman, CEO of Balsam Hill, and David Sumner, Sales Manager at Christmas Tree World, for their advice on finding the perfect tree - along with our top picks to shop now.
Three things to consider when choosing an artificial Christmas tree
1. Size and space
The most important factor is deciding where your tree will go, as this has the biggest impact on which style will work best.
Once you've chosen the spot, it's time to measure up. 'In terms of height, I'd recommend selecting a tree around six inches (15cm) lower than your ceiling,' says Mr Harman. 'For example, a 7.5 ft tree works well for an 8 ft ceiling, leaving enough room for a tree topper.'
He also notes that real tree width tends to be about six inches less than the stated diameter. If space is limited, slimline styles, such as Balsam Hill's Alpine, offer lush greenery in a narrower silhouette.
Meanwhile, miniature trees are ideal for tabletops or for children who would love a tree of their own to decorate. Standout options include John Lewis' 3ft Cotswold Potted Pre-lit Tree and M&S' 1.5ft Pre-Lit Pine and Berries Tree.
2. Realism
'Artificial Christmas trees are a great, cost-effective alternative to the real thing, and when chosen carefully, they can look just as magical,' says Mr Sumner.
He explains that realism largely comes down to materials. 'The material of the branches is key to achieving a realistic appearance. Polyethylene branches offer a super-realistic three-dimensional look as they are moulded from real tree branches.
'PVC branches can also look very realistic - just be sure to assess their length and width, as well as the material, to ensure you're getting the best quality for your money.'
Our top picks include Christmas Tree World's Devonshire style, Balsam Hill's Pre-lit European Fir, and the John Lewis' St. Petersburg Pre-lit Christmas Tree.
3. Colour
The colour of your tree's branches is another important factor to consider when aiming for a natural look. Artificial trees with subtle variation in their green tones mimic the depth and dimension of real firs.
Mr Sumner recommends steering clear of overly bright greens and instead opting for dark, waxy tones or soft peashoot shades - as seen in Christmas Tree World's Matterhorn Pine.
For alternative colour variations, Balsam Hill's Royal Blue Spruce has blue-green needles, while Habitat's Upswept Tree offers lifelike pine-needle branches.
For a classic look, M&S' deep green tree comes pre-decorated with red berries and pine cones, along with 200 mains-powered LED lights to create a warm white glow.
'Generally speaking, the natural hues of evergreens suit any space,' Mr Harman notes. 'But if you're after something different, frosted trees are fantastic for making your ornaments really stand out. I'd recommend pairing them with warm lighting to prevent the tree from feeling too cold.'