CHRISTMAS doesn't truly exist without a tree but that doesn't mean forking out bucket loads of money, says one expert.
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Leonie Norris is the owner of the Vanilla Spice Christmas Shop in Maldon and said it was possible for people to put up a tree without spending a fortune.
"It is really easy to make a tree look beautiful but not spend lots of money," she said.
"There are lots of great decorations around that don't cost too much."
Ms Norris said glass ornaments and birds had been the most popular decorations this festive season.
She said a tree, whether it is real or fake, remained the ultimate symbol of Christmas for families.
"We get kids and grandparents that come into the shop all the time," she said.
"The grandparents always have to put a tree up because the kids expect to see it.
"It's what the kids identify Christmas with."
The grandparents always have to put a tree up because the kids expect to see it.
- Leonie Norris
The Bendigo Advertiser's Christmas Tree Instagram Competition is looking for more entries.
Do you believe you have a spectacular Christmas tree and you want to show off to the rest of the world?
Then get snappy.
All you have to do is take a photo of you and your Christmas tree and use the hashtag #bgotree.
The photos will be put in a gallery and posted on The Bendigo Advertiser website.
One lucky entrant, to be chosen by the judges, will win a Samsung phone.
The winner will be announced in the newspaper on December 24.
The gallery will be updated regularly.
To view visit www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au