It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. But when is it time to put your tree up?

Some people throw themselves into the festive season early, making the most of the shorter evenings

Other stick rigidly to the traditional approach - and wait until 12 days before Christmas.

If it's a real tree, the British Christmas Tree Growers Association has some firm guidelines.

Harry Brightwell, secretary of the association, said: "Provided care is taken in looking after the tree, the tree should survive over four weeks.

"It is suggested that trees should not be purchased earlier than December 1."

A general internet search reveals many people go for the second Saturday in December.

Ultimately, it's down to how long you want to string the Christmas experience out at home. But it does seem to get earlier every year.

Christmas trees - a history

The British Tree Growers Association has released a series of festive facts.

It says:

– Every year since 1947, the tree in London’s Trafalgar Square has been a gift from the city of Oslo, Norway.

– In a 2004 survey of the nation’s favourite smells, real Christmas trees came eighth just behind the sea but ahead of perfume.

– Manufactured Christmas tree ornaments were first sold by Woolworths in 1880.

– Even before the time of Christ, evergreen trees were seen in winter as a symbol of fertility.

– The 16th century monk, Martin Luther, is credited with the idea of lights on Christmas trees by adding candles to his tree to look like stars in a forest.

– England’s first Christmas tree was brought to Windsor by Charlotte, wife of George III, in 1800

– But it was the trees brought in the 1840s by Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria, that led to their popularity throughout the UK.

– The first use of the term ‘Christmas tree’ in English was said to be in 1835.