COMMUNAL CHRISTMAS TREE

Many buildings, both privately managed and Council Buildings, have communal Christmas trees, so don't worry; it won't be the first time your caretaker or supervisor has heard of having one for the building. One of the easiest ways to raise money for the tree is to sell raffle tickets (you will need about £20 for a proper tree, with another £15 for lights). If  you have a garden area, a real tree, pot-grown, gives the most pleasure. Ours at Chenies Street Chambers is a Nordman pine tree, (four feet high at Christmas, 2002) which does not drop its needles.

If you don't have a garden area, and people want a fake tree, by all means buy one (someone must be prepared to store a permanent tree after Christmas). You can also buy a real cut tree, to be discarded after Christmas.

You can either put your tree up in the Main Entrance lobby (check to see that there is a safe way to plug in the Christmas lights) or in a communal courtyard outdoors, whichever you prefer.

If you are having a raffle, ask if someone would like to donate the prize (a £5 tin of chocolate was our raffle prize for Christmas 2001). Don't raffle booze (and be sure that the prize would also be suitable for all ages and religions). Raffle tickets are usually 20p a ticket (or 5 for £1) and they are just an excuse for people to make a donation to the fund.

Draw the winning ticket and post the name of the winner on the Notice Board the day the Christmas tree is put up.

You will need a volunteer who knows where to find cheap Christmas trees, and is prepared to bring the tree to the building.

You will also need a source of power to plug in your Christmas lights (remember to put tape over any cable, to avoid accidents). Ask the caretaker. 

Finally, you will need a volunteer to put the tree out for collection after the season is over (Any time after January 6th). If you are in Camden, special collections are made for Christmas trees, so just place it on the pavement or at the curb, and it will be collected.

Christmas lights are fine, but try not to use glass decorations for the tree, to prevent accidents and breakages. Charity shops usually have a supply of plastic Christmas balls around the time you will need them and pound shops have old-fashioned tinsel. Again, if no one is prepared to store the decorations, donate them to a charity shop when you are finished with them.

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