Christmas starts here - Choosing a Tree With Help from Pines and Needles

I am SOOO excited! Today is the day we are going to choose our Christmas tree (which always feels like it's officially the start of the festive season) from Pines and Needles in St Albans.

 We had a gorgeous tree from Pines and Needles last year and it was truly the nicest Christmas tree I have ever seen anywhere. I took my mum along to one of their many London pop-up stores and we made a day of it, Christmas shopping, a nice lunch and the highlight, picking out a beautiful tree.

This year I am taking the younger children to the St Albans store which this year is in Verulamium Park, opposite Westminster Lodge on Holywell Hill (AL1 2DL). They apparently have an even bigger selection of trees this year from giant firs to tiny spruces.

If you are bewildered by the options and want to know which tree smells nicest or drops least, the very lovely staff (including men in kilts!) will be on hand to guide you and arrange delivery if necessary (location limits apply). Last year my tree was delivered in perfect condition and the guys even put it into the stand for me.

Men in kilts you say? Yes, this is not just some cheap gimmick to attract people who like rugged me in skirts. It's a nod to the company's Scottish heritage.

Pines and Needles was founded by brothers Josh and Sam Lyle back in 1995. It all started when the youngsters (then aged 15 and 13) came up with the brainwave of loading an old horsebox with Christmas trees from their family farm in Scotland and taking the long journey down to London. 

After a few years the kilted crew grew in size, the Internet beckoned, and the rest, as they say, is history.

In 2016, the company hit the headlines for supplying a tree to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the first time the couple had been seen in public. It also bought a second plantation in Scotland, doubling its capacity to grow trees.

In 2017, Pines and Needles acquired The Christmas Forest in a bid to expand its portfolio of stores in London and heighten its presence in the capital and beyond.

Although every Christmas is incredibly busy, the brothers said they want the tree-buying experience to be a magical family occasion full of laughter, winter warmth and nostalgic memories.

"Feel the festivities come to life in our stores around London and the south of England where you and your family can kick-start Christmas by picking a tree of choice or shop online with us," says Sam.

"We will deliver to your door, install, decorate and even take away and recycle. Now that's how you take the stress out of Christmas!"

This year Pines and Needles hopes that tree buyers will name their trees to make it part of the family. After all once the tree is home and decorated it / he or she will be at the heart of all your celebrations for the rest of the year! 

To build up the excitement before today's tree choosing excursion, I asked two of my children what they loved about Christmas -and I promise I didn't lead them towards their answers! See what they said in this short video.

I also asked them if they had been good enough for Father Christmas to visit this year. What do you think they said?

Today in St Albans, Pines and Needles are running a "Treetorial" session so both children and adults can learn how to take care of their tree, making sure they know it must stay topped up with water and away from heat sources to stay beautiful.

There might be some mince pies on offer too so pop along and have some festive fun after school if you live locally.

Not near St Albans? Check the Pines and Needles website for store locations and special events near you. And fear not, if you can't get to a store you can order a tree online.

Finally, in true Christmas spirit Pines and Needles told me: "Christmas Is A Time For Giving. We are supporting Action For Children again this year to help raise funds for services for the most disadvantaged children, young people and their families across the UK."

Now doesn't that make you feel all festive and fuzzy? 

Look out for pictures of our 2017 Pines and Needles Tree coming soon! In the meantime, here's a great shot of last year's tree.

Disclaimer: We are being gifted a tree for review purposes. Views remain honest and my own.