As the recession bites it will be hard for many of us to welcome Christmas with the same old enthusiasm. Nevertheless, we must not let the troubles that beset our beautiful country cloud this wonderful feast, the most delightful of all festivals for children especially.

One of the most celebrated traditions of this season is the Christmas Tree – its gay charm has spread all over Europe. Originally a German innovation, it is no longer just a luxury for the well-off but the centrepiece of Christmas decorations in most households.

This year, approximately 6 million trees will be sold in the UK alone. This has a benefit for the environment since most plots where trees are harvested will be replanted and six million trees remove around three hundred tonnes of carbon dioxide from the air annually.

Of course, artificial trees are widely available these days, but for the authentic Christmas atmosphere I think you should use a real tree.

Let me offer some advice as Christmas brings its own dangers. The Christmas tree in your home should be properly secured and positioned away from fires, heaters, doors and stairs. Use only good quality lights and when decorating your tree put the fairy lights on first then the other decorations. Do not put up the tree too early, leave it until Christmas week and it will last much longer through the festive season. Make sure you unplug the lights at bedtime. Never buy a potted tree with roots, as I think they are a waste of money and tend to die off later in the year through neglect. Unlike puppies, Christmas trees really are just for Christmas!

Four your tree, I recommend the Noble Fir with its tiered effect, beautiful bark and non-shedding needles. You may also like the Blue Spruce with its classic shape, or even the Norway spruce, the classic Christmas tree with fragrant soft green needles. The Norway spruce has been fading in popularity recently as it tends to shed quickly in centrally heated homes.

The most popular Christmas plant is the Poinsettia, also known as the flower of Holy Night. Poinsettias should be placed in good natural light, kept away from draughts or radiators, and watered regularly.

Solanum is the Christmas cherry plant; it has a lovely festive air but keep well away from children as it has a poisonous fruit. This plant also requires plenty of natural light.

So the nights are at their darkest, the air is getting colder and Jack Frost si drawing his delicate patterns on the windows. Who knows, we may awake on Christmas morning to find the earth covered with a mantle of white….

As always, my Christmas wish for you all is that together we strive to keep within us the simple and humble heart of a child for whom Christmas creates a sense of wonder. May the new year bring freedom to the oppressed and peace to all.

Happy Christmas to you and yours.