How to Prune a Christmas Tree (UK Guide): When & How to Shape Your Tree Like a Pro

Image
  BY THE LONDON HOME EDIT  Stop settling for a sparse tree! Achieving this perfectly shaped, magazine-worthy look in a cozy UK living room is easier than you think. Click through to discover our secret hacks for shaping, lighting, and decorating your tree to look truly luxurious this season! Introduction Pruning a Christmas tree might sound like something only gardeners or professional stylists do, but it’s one of the easiest ways to transform an ordinary tree into something beautifully shaped, symmetrical, and display-ready. Whether you’ve chosen a real fir from a UK garden centre or you’re working with a well-loved artificial tree, a little thoughtful trimming and shaping can make your tree look fuller, more elegant and perfectly prepared for lights, baubles, and ribbons. In this UK-focused 2025 guide, we’ll walk through how and when to prune a Christmas tree, how to shape both real and artificial varieties, the tools professionals recommend, and expert styling techniques yo...

The Ultimate Guide to M&S Christmas Decoration Dupes UK: Get the Marks & Spencer Look for Less

 By The London Home Edit


Introduction: The M&S Magic


There’s something undeniably magical about walking into Marks & Spencer at Christmas. The warm lighting, the luxurious textures, the perfectly styled shelves — everything feels elegant, cosy, and effortlessly expensive. M&S decorations are known for their quality, their timeless design, and that unmistakable premium finish that instantly elevates a home.


But let’s be honest for a second…


Not all of us can justify paying £15 for one bauble.

Or £39.50 for a single wreath.

Or £25 for a velvet cushion.


That’s where the beauty of M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK comes in — because the truth is, many high-street stores like Primark, Dunelm, B&M, and even Homebase are quietly producing identical-look dĂ©cor for a fraction of the price.


This guide shows you exactly how to recreate the M&S Christmas aesthetic on a realistic budget — without sacrificing quality, style, or that luxurious Marks & Spencer finish.


Let’s begin.



Zone 1 — The Gold & Glamour Dupe Edit


Luxurious flat lay of gold candles, rich velvet ribbon, and metallic/emerald/burgundy baubles, showcasing the high-end aesthetic of M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK for a festive home.
The M&S Christmas magic, bottled! This luxurious aesthetic proves you don't need to spend a fortune. Get ready to discover the best M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK high street stores have to offer.



If there’s one thing M&S absolutely nails every Christmas, it’s the gold luxury look — warm brass tones, champagne metallics, soft velvet pieces, and beautifully textured ornaments.


But here’s the secret:

You can recreate all of it with high street dupes that cost between £2–£6, instead of £12–£25.



Explore the official M&S Christmas decorations collection

https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/christmas/christmas-decorations



M&S Gold Accessories vs. The High Street Steal


Gold is an M&S signature — candle holders, wreath hangers, decorative trays, baubles, garlands — everything looks premium because of their matte, brushed-metal finish.


The M&S Look:


Brushed brass candle holders


Gold-rimmed glass ornaments


Metallic bauble sets


Soft glowing LED candles


Champagne-gold garlands


Beautiful, yes… but often £15–£35 per item.


The High Street Dupes:


Here’s where the real savings are:


Primark:

Matte gold candle holders for £3–£5

Gold trays for £4

Metallic bauble sets for £2.50


Dunelm:

Gold lanterns for £8

Champagne baubles for £3

Metallic garlands for £6


B&M / Home Bargains:

Gold statement ornaments for £1.99–£3.99

LED candles for £2.50

Gold frames for £3


This means you can recreate an entire M&S mantlepiece setup for under £15, instead of £60+.


đź’ˇ Tip: Always choose matte over shiny gold. It always looks more expensive.


Velvet and Textured Dupe Finds


Velvet is one of the biggest markers of M&S’s Christmas aesthetic — velvet ribbons, velvet baubles, velvet cushions.


But M&S cushions are often £19–£25.


The Dupes:


Dunelm velvet cushions: £6–£10


Primark velvet bows: £1.50


B&M velvet baubles: £2 each


Tesco / Asda velvet gift sacks: £4–£6



🎀 Style Hack:

Buy one high-quality M&S velvet bow (£5.50) and mix it with Primark dupes. No one will know — and the blend creates a luxury effect.



Zone 2 — The Botanical & Natural Lookalikes


Flat lay of M&S-inspired natural Christmas decor, featuring realistic faux eucalyptus stems, warm wooden reindeer ornaments, and neutral-toned baubles. Ideal for finding high-quality M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK.
Faux garlands and wreaths that look expensive are the signature of M&S's natural collection. This section reveals the best budget-friendly high street stores where you can find eucalyptus stems and realistic wooden ornaments that perfectly mimic the Marks & Spencer look!



Botanical Christmas dĂ©cor is massive at M&S — think eucalyptus, frosted greenery, pinecones, snowy branches, and elegant rustic tones.


The good news?

These are the easiest dupes to find — and most look identical to the premium versions.




Faux Wreaths and Garlands That Don’t Look Cheap


An M&S wreath usually starts at £25–£45.


High-Street Lookalikes:


Dunelm: frosted eucalyptus wreaths £10–£15

Home Bargains: mini pine garlands £4.99

Primark: natural-style wreaths £12

B&M: lush faux greenery £8–£12


They look almost identical because many come from the same wholesale manufacturers used across UK retailers.


đź’ˇ Quality Test:

Bend 1–2 stems. If they bounce back slowly — it’s a premium dupe.



See the full M&S Christmas Home range for 2025

https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/christmas/home-and-decor



Rustic Wooden Ornaments Dupe Check


M&S wooden ornaments (stars, reindeer, houses) are cute — but can be £8–£15 each.


Dupes:


B&M wooden houses: £1.50


Dunelm woodland dĂ©cor: £2–£5


Poundland scandi ornaments: £1.25


Primark wooden bauble sets: £3


A whole woodland-themed tree can be recreated for under £15.



Zone 3 — The Festive Dining Table on a Budget


Elegant M&S-style Christmas dining table setting with gold taper candles, fresh eucalyptus and fir greenery, crisp linen napkins tied with velvet ribbon, and budget-friendly M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK for tableware.
The M&S festive dining table look, perfected! You don't need to splurge on expensive serveware or linens. This section reveals where to find elegant gold tableware dupes and how to style budget-friendly greenery for a high-end Christmas feast.



This is where M&S shines — and where people overspend without realising.


But with the right dupes, you can get the M&S dining table aesthetic for a fraction of the price.



Budget Linen and Napkin Hacks


You should never pay £25 for two napkins.


Dupe alternatives:


Dunelm linen-look napkins: £4–£6


Primark napkin gift sets: £3


IKEA “VĂ…RFLY” beige napkins: £2



Napkin hack:

Add a velvet ribbon (£1) + a sprig of eucalyptus (Primark £1.50).

Instant luxury.




H3: Serveware and Candle Styling Secrets


M&S festive tableware is stunning — but expensive.


Dupes:


Asda matte-gold cutlery: £10


IKEA “Fullständig” candle holders: £4


Dunelm ribbed glassware: £2.50 each


B&M candle trios: £3.99



✨ Designer Tip:

Cluster candles in groups of 3 or 5. Odd numbers always look richer.


📌 Internal link to include here:

Check out my viral TikTok Home Hacks post for more styling tricks you can use year-round.



My Top 3 M&S Budget Dupe Finds of the Week


Side-by-side comparison grid of three M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK items, showing original Marks & Spencer products next to affordable lookalikes from Primark and Dunelm.
The proof is in the pudding! These side-by-side comparisons demonstrate just how easy it is to find stunning M&S Christmas decoration dupes UK wide, saving you a fortune without compromising on style. Don't miss my top 3 budget finds below!


1. M&S £15 Gold Bauble vs. B&M £2 Dupe


Identical tone, identical size, identical shine.


2. M&S £29.50 Frosted Garland vs. Dunelm £10 Garland


Nearly indistinguishable. Same snow effect. Same foliage density.


3. M&S Velvet Cushion £25 vs. Primark £6 Cushion


You could mix both on the same sofa and no one would ever know.



The 5-Step M&S Aesthetic Checklist


Minimalist flat lay of an M&S aesthetic checklist with 5 steps for achieving a luxury look: including selecting main colors, matte metals, soft textures, repeating elements, and frosted greenery for Christmas decor.
Unlock the secret to M&S's signature style! This 5-step aesthetic checklist is your blueprint for achieving that coveted high-end Christmas look, no matter where you shop. Pin this guide for instant festive elegance!



Here’s the formula M&S uses to make everything look so stylish:


1. Stick to 3 main colours


Usually gold, champagne, and white.


2. Choose matte metals over shiny metals


Instantly looks more expensive.


3. Add soft texture: velvet + faux fur + knit


Texture = luxury.


4. Repeat elements in 3’s


Three candles, three baubles, three shapes.


5. Keep greenery frosted or eucalyptus-based


It’s the signature “M&S Winter” look.

Read the Ideal Home Christmas Trends Guide

https://www.idealhome.co.uk/christmas


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Q1: Are Marks & Spencer decorations worth the price?


Yes — the quality is fantastic. But if you’re on a budget, high street dupes achieve the same look for much less.


Q2: Where can I find good Marks and Spencer decor lookalikes?


Primark, Dunelm, B&M, Home Bargains, and IKEA. High street stores have stepped up their game.


Q3: What is M&S’s signature Christmas style?


Matte gold, frosted greenery, velvet textures, champagne tones, and softly glowing lighting.




Conclusion — Your Luxury High Street Christmas


You don’t need to spend £200+ at M&S to get the stylish, premium Christmas home you love.

Not anymore.


With smart dupes, a few styling tricks, and the right high-street swaps, you can recreate the entire Marks & Spencer aesthetic for a fraction of the price.


✨ Ready for your next upgrade?

Don’t miss my guide to John Lewis Christmas Dupes UK — it’s full of budget-luxe finds that match perfectly with today’s M&S lookalikes.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

12 TikTok Home Hacks Every UK Mum Needs in 2026

20 Poundland Christmas DĂ©cor Hacks for a Luxury Look (2025 → 2026)

15 IKEA Hacks UK: Luxury Home Looks on a Budget (2025 Guide)