Pines and Needles: Our First Real Christmas Tree

So I know it’s a bit late for a blog post about Christmas trees but there’s a good reason, here goes…

If I close my eyes and think back to Christmas as a child, one of my first memories is the smell of a real Christmas tree – for me it’s the epitome of a traditional; however since being an adult I’ve never chosen a real tree preferring instead an artificial one as along with my childhood memories I also remember pine needles absolutely everywhere and the trees always looking half dead by the time Christmas lunch was served!

Pines and Needles very kindly sent us a 6ft Christmas tree – Nordmann Fir to be precise – and door wreath plus some holly and mistletoe (Boo insisted we kiss every time we passed underneath!). I was immediately impressed with just how seamless and stress free they made the delivery process; the tree was delivered in a large red bag and the usual netting. The accompanying stand has a water reservoir which helps keep the tree from dying; apparently an inch needs to be sawn off the bottom of the trunk to allow full water absorption but the lovelies at Pines and Needles take care of that before delivery making it less than 10 minutes from delivery to ‘Wow, look at that tree!’.

Pines and Needles are celebrating 20 years in 2015 and have become the premier Christmas tree supplier online in the UK. I’m no expert when it comes to picking the perfect tree and that’s what’s brilliant about Pines and Needles; there’s no need to go and pick the tree yourself – although you’re more than welcome to visit one of their 20 stores. It’s a really simple process from picking the size of your tree, arranging delivery and you can even book a pick up in the new year; and because Pines and Needles grow all their own trees on their own plantations in Scotland in the most sustainable manner you know it’s the best tree available.

There’s a handy section on the website which helps you get the best out of your Christmas tree – great if like me you’re not too good at keeping any plant or tree alive, woops!

The smell of the tree was wonderful just like I remember, and me and Boo had a lovely time decorating the tree, it’s the little moments that really make Christmas for children; 2014 will be the year that Boo remembers for being in sole charge of placing the teddies in the lower branches – a pretty big deal when you’re three years old.

The wreath from Pines and Needles was gorgeous and matched our front door perfectly, using Christmas tree cuttings – which brings me back to the tree itself; it had a lovely bluish hue to the needles which in themselves weren’t sharp at all, and true to their word it was no drop, the only time I noticed dropped needles was when it was times to take it down and I wrestled it through the front door.

I’m the type of person who has their Christmas tree down by the 27th December, this year however our Pines and Needles tree was up until 4th January, I think that tells you everything you need to know about Pines and Needles, I can’t wait until next year, heck I may even have my tree up at the beginning of December!

Disclousure: We were sent a Christmas tree and wreath for review. No payment was received and all opinions are 100% honest.