Having a well-dressed Christmas tree and making it look as good as you can do is an art form.

Our team of professional dressers offer their expert advice here on how to ensure you have the best dressed tree around.

It all starts with selecting the best, fresh tree from your nearest grower or local supplier.

Shape and size are important, so be sure that you know how large your tree needs to be to fit the space you have at home.

Some households like to have two trees – this could be one in a porch that’s smaller with fewer decorations but well-lit to make the entrance to the home welcoming.

Or they might go for two larger trees in different reception rooms featuring different colour schemes.

Once you have your tree at home and inside, start by fluffing out the branches to make it look as full as possible.

It’s essential the branches are allowed to rest before you start decorating them, so if you can leave it for a few hours before you begin, the better it will look at the end.

Next think about your theme or colour scheme, as this will guide the decorations you choose. Sketch out a plan and remember less is often more in these scenarios.

Some of the very best dressed trees can be those that feature just one colour of bauble, may be two, with some elegant strands of lighting around them.

Get some inspiration online or at any hotels or shops you’re able to attend safely that have large Christmas trees in their foyers or windows. Think about what will make the most impact in your home.

Put the lights on the tree first and make sure they are plugged in and switched on. This will help you to see the overall balance of the tree. If your lights are faulty, then we stock sets to replace them with, that are energy efficient, so are better for the environment.

When placing your decorations on the tree, start with one type of bauble and hang them in a Z-shape.

This will help guide the eye from the top of the tree to the bottom, giving a pleasing impact on those who behold it.

Don’t just decorate, take time to stand back to check the overall effect and the proportions.

Decorations should be grouped in threes or fives and evenly spaced. Keep a sense of balance in mind.

Add special ornaments or decorations that have been passed through the family or have sentimental value at the very end.

This year, one of the key trends for decorations and themes is linked to the natural world and nature.

We’re expecting decorations featuring birds and woodland creatures to fly off our shelves and we’re anticipating sales of fresh trees and natural wreaths to also increase, as people opt for a more eco-friendly festive period.

This has come from the desire in 2020 to spend more time outdoors, to appreciate our green spaces and to experience the wellbeing and health benefits of having a closeness with living things, both flora and fauna.

So, bringing more of the natural world inside this Christmas seems…natural.