Found a light-up reindeer or nativity set for the front garden? How to get it home in one piece

Every November the second-hand sites fill up with big outdoor Christmas pieces: light-up reindeer and sleighs, nativity sets, giant nutcracker soldiers, tall light-up trees and front-garden Santas. People upgrade their displays, move house or just run out of loft space, so there are lovely finds to be had. The catch is that these pieces are usually tall, wide and a bit delicate, and they rarely go in the car. Here's how to get yours home ready for the big switch-on.

1. Ask the seller the right questions

Roughly how tall and wide is it? Does it come apart into pieces, like antlers, a sleigh and a reindeer, or nativity figures and a stable? Is there an original box? Where is it being collected from: a loft, a garage, a shed or the front garden?

2. Pack it like it matters

Unplug and coil any cables and tape them to the frame. Tape or bag loose parts such as antlers, runners, stakes and pegs, and label which bits go together. Use the original box if you have it, or wrap fragile pieces in old blankets or bubble wrap.

3. Keep the bits together

Small parts like ground stakes, pegs and plugs go missing easily. Put them in one labelled bag and tape it to the biggest piece so nothing gets left behind on collection day.

4. Think about access at both ends

Narrow side paths, steps, loft hatches and tight hallways all make a difference with tall pieces. Measure before collection day and say where it needs to go at your end, whether that's the garage, the shed or straight onto the front lawn.

5. Getting it there

If it won't fit in the car, you can post the job free on Pink Pumpkin Logistics (https://pinkpumpkinlogistics.co.uk), a UK site where local drivers send quotes and you choose the one you're happy with. There's no obligation to accept. Give rough sizes, say how many pieces and whether it's fragile, and mention access at each end. We move the display as it is, so putting it up and plugging it in are down to you.

Here's to the brightest front garden on the street.