So,  will  it  be  a trendy  black and gold tree  from  an expensive  department store  - or  a  good  old-fashioned  genuine  Christmas  tree with the delights of  needle shedding?

  Although environmentalists used to extol the virtues of a real tree - because they mop up carbon while they are growing, there is now growing concern about the number  of traditional forest areas which are being cleared to make way for Christmas tree plantations.

And the sad fact is that these plantations do a lot less to absorb carbon than "real" forests which have decades (at least!) of undergrowth.

So,  if you already have an artificial tree which could be  pressed into service for another couple of years, then stick with that.

If not, then think about buying a pot-grown fir tree.

Once the festive season is over, you can either find a place for it in your garden (still in its pot for use again next year)   or you can plant it out  in the garden if you have the space - or pass it onto somewhere that could plant it out in their grounds.

Whatever you do, don't buy a new artificial tree!

The manufacturing process uses a lot of energy and most fake trees are made from metal and PVC derivatives.

It creates and disperses very toxic chemicals and the manufacturing by-products are harmful to people and the environment.

And, if all that isn't enough to put you off, fake trees aren't naturally biodegradable so they will lie in landfill for MANY years after you throw them out.

If you will be away from home for part of the festive season and would rather not be responsible for a real tree being chopped, you could consider dressing a large indoor plant or standing fallen branches in a couple of pots and brightening them up with your usual Christmas decorations.

Personally, I'm making do with an artificial tree bought about seven years ago (after one of the dogs got an infection from a pine needle stuck in his face).

Yes, it has definitely seen much better days. In fact last year relatives commented on its resemblance to the leaning tower of Pisa but I've tried to prop it up a bit better this year.

It also helps that our little one still believes in quantity rather than quality. You can't actually see much of the tree under its heavy winter coat of other people's discarded tinsel !