This really comes too late in the season to be any use this year (unless you’re even less organised than I am, which is unlikely!) but perhaps it could come in handy next time around. The German company Krinner make sturdy Christmas tree stands with something that looks like a bear trap holding your preferred slab of Norwegian pine firmly in place.

Drop in tree, stand on foot pedal, fill the base with water and you’re done apparently as this stand is self levelling. There are different sizes but the monster one in the photo can handle a tree 12 feet high with a 17″ diameter trunk. Personally I’d like a room that could house a tree that large but at least they cater for all possibilities!

The water level indicator is a nice touch too. Get them here