We fretted and fretted over when was the right date to decorate our tree. In fact, we even played a game with the prize being that the winner would get to pick when we put the lights on it… Alas! We stuck to tradition, sat on our hands and reluctantly waited until it was actually December.

This year we were invited by the lovely guys at Pines and Needlesto come down to their Wimbledon Park pop up store and choose our favourite.

We needed a tree that wouldn’t drop its needles, one that looked great AND smelled the part too!

Enter the Nordmann Fir. 

Our 7ft beauty costs £65, has a rather delightful shape and is said to be one of the best for retaining its needles. YESSS! It’s even delivered by a man in a kilt.

Fortunately, my housemate Patrick had the foresight to measure the height of our living room ceiling before we set off in pursuit of a tree. Otherwise, we’d have gone a bit made, bought an 8 or 9 ft beast, and have ended up recreating a scene out of the Christmas movie, Elf.

When you live with your best mates, and all have busy lives, it can be quite difficult to pin everyone down and find a date that suits everyone to get together and decorate your tree. 

We settled on a Saturday morning slot from 9am - 11am. Popped on Jingle All The Way – a classic Arnie Christmas movie – and set about making our home feel all festive. Such a fun way to start the weekend.

Over the years my housemates and I have amassed a huge amount of Christmas decorations. I think that’s one of the nicest things ever, to be able to build a collection that makes you smiles every year, when you bring them down from the attic. 

My friend @laraellison​ has a really lovely family Christmas tradition. They buy one new decoration every year. I need a black cab or a red London bus to complete my collection.

The decorations I have are an assortment of Anthropologie, Liberty, Graham and Green, Zara Home and a few family ones that have been passed down to me by my parents and grandparents.

Melly and Patrick are a huge fan of animal decorations. We have so many cute dogs, foxes and creatures on our tree this year. They’re also big lovers of anything Disney and Harry Potter related, so you’ll see a few of those sneaking in too.

What family Christmas traditions do you repeat each year? Are you a real tree or an artificial tree household? I won’t judge… promise!

Still not decorated your tree yet? Pop on this ‘Wistful Winter’ Christmas playlist and enjoy – it’s got gems by Bon Iver, Christine and the Queens, Tom Odell, Sigur Rós, Laura Marling, Fleet Foxes, The Cinematic Orchestra, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Birdy and many more incredible not-your-usual-Christmas artists!

For more info about Pines and Needles Christmas trees, visit: pinesandneedles.com/christmas-trees