The most wonderful time of the year is once more upon us, and so it is time to start thinking of where the perfect place is to get that oh so important element of the festive season: the Christmas tree. From Nordmann Firs to Lodgepole Pine, from a conservative size to a whopping roof-grazing spectacle, there is plenty to choose from to make sure your home is Christmas-ready before the big day comes.

Glasgow and surrounding area

To go with the charitable spirit of the Christmas season, you can purchase your tree from Caring Christmas Trees (various outlets, 0345 111 8733, caringchristmastrees.com). Striving to end homelessness in Scotland, the charity supplies freshly-cut, 100% Scottish, grade 1 standard Nordmann Firs across Edinburgh and Glasgow. If you're quick and order before Mon 18 Nov (and your postcode is within their delivery area), you can still get your tree brought straight to your doorstep, without having to venture out into the Scottish cold for it. Every order helps, as the over 7,000 homeless and vulnerable people Caring Christmas Trees have supported would surely attest to.

Real Christmas Trees (07982 184 993 / 07494 634 631, realchristmastreesglasgow.co.uk) also source all their trees from Scotland. Their Nordmann Firs and Fraser Firs trees can be delivered free of charge, and you can choose between lengths of 4 and 10ft. You're on your own when it comes to disposing of it after Christmas, though, and they no longer collect trees after the festive period.

Taking pride in their locally-sourced, freshly-cut stock, XMas Trees Glasgow (Castlemilk, 07833 457802 / 07909 561726, xmastreesglasgow.co.uk) also stock Lodgepole Pine in addition to the usual Nordmann and Fraser Firs, with prices as low as £35. If you are local to Glasgow, delivery is thrown in for free, but you can also pop into their shop to pick your tree yourself.

For an even wider selection of trees, Edenmill Christmas Trees (Blanefield, 07805 672 153, edenchristmastrees.co.uk) are surely a good bet. A family-run business, they grow Nordmann Fir, Norway Spruce, Scots Pine and Fraser Fir, ranging from £31.50 to £93, alongside handmade Christmas wreaths (decorated or plain, for you to take a stab at). Live further afield than Glasgow? Then you're in luck, since they deliver across the UK (and for free).

At West of Scotland Christmas Trees (Milngavie / Bearsden, 07470 351 774, christmastreesglasgow.co.uk), trees are priced by the foot; from £4 for the Norway Spruce to £6 for the Fraser and Nordmann Fir. If you are picking up your tree remember to take cash, as they can't accept card payments, and a thick pair of gloves to handle your new purchase. All Christmas trees are cut to demand, so it's guaranteed you will get a high quality, healthy tree.

Edinburgh and surrounding area

The good folks over at CrimboTrees (Old Jenners Depository, Balgreen Road, 0131 346 9539, crimbotrees.co.uk) are, once again, decking the halls with their Norway Spruce (£31.95–70.95), Nordmann Fir (£39.95–109.95) and luxurious Christmas wreaths (£15–25). For the fourth year in a row they are partnering with Maggie's Edinburgh, and hope to be able to sponsor at least a day of the charitable work at the centre.

You don't need to look far to browse through the stock at Green Fir Christmas Trees (0131 618 2875, edinburghchristmastrees.com). They guarantee next-day delivery in Edinburgh North, Edinburgh South, Midlothian and Peebles (even if you order in December) of their freshly-cut Nordmann Fir trees, which range from 5ft (£60) all the way to 13ft (£175).

Nordmann Fir and Fraser Fir up to 25 feet tall are available at the East Lothian Christmas Tree Centre (Tranent, 01875 613 574, eastlothianchristmastrees.co.uk). If you return your tree to them after the festive season is over, they will use it to provide shelter and food to local wildlife, before recycling it responsibly. If you're local, delivery is free of charge, too.

Conifox Christmas Trees (Kirkliston, 0131 333 2288, conifox.co.uk), just next to Edinburgh Airport supply trees to homes and businesses across Edinburgh and the Lothians. You might have seen one of their trees before, as they supply this most iconic festive centrepiece to Edinburgh's the Mound, Jenner's and Underbelly's Edinburgh Christmas. Their selection for collection or home delivery ranges from 4ft to 20ft Nordmann Firs, Norway Spruces and Fraser Firs. If you pop over in person, they've also got a Magical Christmas Experience and Adventure Park for the wee ones, as well as the chance to have breakfast with Santa.

There's Fraser and Nordmann Firs to spare at Real Christmas Trees Edinburgh (realchristmastreesdirect.co.uk/edinburgh), and they even offer plenty of advice on how to keep your tree fresh and healthy throughout the festive season. Don't forget to add a tree stand to your order (£20–25), with trees going for around £41–75.