So, firstly don't judge me. I was out shopping for a Christmas tree, a real one. I know. It's November but I maintain that I'm already immersed in budgeting, shopping and planning so I might as well enjoy the fun bits.
And normally I would not even dream of buying a real tree from a chain store but without explaining myself I found myself at The Range with three of my older children who if not keen, were at least willing to help me shove a tree taller than myself into a Fiat 500. Admittedly the "L"model but it's still not a huge vehicle.
We found the trees in the outdoor garden centre bit. A load of netted ones and about 30 trees of various sizes standing next to a netting machine.
Now, we are particular about the shape of our trees. Not too wide at the bottom, not gaps and no weird branches at the top. Hence why I prefer not to buy netted trees which obviously you cant check out in advance.
We found one which fit the bill and went off in search of an employee. Now, at this point it is relevant to mention that all three children with me work at least part time in retail. We are very aware of how sh*t the job and some customers can be. We approached with a smile and a polite, slightly apologetic attitude.
First person we came across didn't know who was responsible for trees. Fair enough, it is still November after all. She did the right thing though and asked someone she thought might know.
This employee glanced at us and told us we couldn't have one of the "display" trees and therefore he wouldn't net one for me. Even though the one we wanted was standing next to a netting gadget. Really? 30 "display" trees? With several of each size on show? Hmmm.
So we walked out. Not in a humpy way, actually laughing at the scenario. I'd actually have preferred the answer: "Sorry Madam but I'm snowed under and don't have tine to go the toilet, never mind to net a particular tree for you when there are hundreds ready netted." As a former retail worker myself I know how many times I know the pressure in the run up to Christmas. But still, the only time I refused a customer request was the one year someone arrived at my deli counter wanting 10 different meats sliced and ALL the cheeses at 6.45pm on Christmas Eve, five minutes after I had weighed, wrapped and digitally recorded the last of the products and washed down the slicers, counters and scales. I did however walk her to the relevant areas to help her source pre-wrapped products.
Anyway, after tree-gate at The Range we headed to our local garden centre where for just £5 more than The Range's price I bought a gorgeous tree which was netted cheerfully by three lovely ladies who transported it to the car park where my family members successfully managed to insert said tree into the car without losing too many needles or any branches.
I love The Range normally. The place kept me sane during lockdown when they stayed open for "essentials" and I sing the chain's praises to anyone who will listen and I will say if you want to fully immerse yourself in Christmas spirit and treat yourself to a few reasonably priced decs, it's still a great place to go.
Disclaimer: Not sponsored in anyway - just one of my random anecdotes. Oh, and the tree in the image is not mine.