There is an annual debate over when it’s socially acceptable to put up your Christmas tree. Tradition dictates Christmas trees should be put up at the beginning of Advent on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is Sunday, November 27 this year. Personally, I have no loyalty to a particular fate - I’ve been known to put it as early as November 6 and as late as Christmas Eve.
Sam Harpe, 39, has been selling Christmas trees on the corner of Alma Road in Clifton since he was 15. The Christmas Tree Shop Bristol, one of the city’s oldest and most favoured spots, returns to its usual spot on November 25.
His business partner, Ronan Maguire - who practices law out of season - has been supplying the city with trees for even longer, three decades. Even when Sam moved to Australia, he returned to Bristol to help with the business each Christmas, eventually returning to live in the city again around six years ago.
