GCA garden centre inspector Roger Crookes visited the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair to discover some new gems for GTN Xtra. Here he shares his 5 top tips from the show.

Think 'The Frozen Planet' - interest and sales of the acrylic lit polar bears and penguins still seem to be gaining momentum ... can anyone arrange for the BBC to repeat 'The Frozen Planet' this November?  [Eds note: Stunning use of acrylic lit Reindeer wins special Greatest Christmas Award for Garden Pride, customers walked through the legs of the reindeer to enter the centre.]

Think Blossom Trees - most centres had a great time with LED blossom trees last year, and there is an ever increasing range available.  [Eds note: How about using lit blossom trees and branches in spring and summer displays too?]

Think Big - large display Blossom Trees are coming down in price but going up in range - this could be the year we see garden centre car parks all over the country sparkling in giant LED tress - what an advert that would be!

Think British - the interest and pride in things British is growing after 2012 - Festives British made tinsel was attracting lots of interest - with a tinsel machine working at the show.  [Eds note: The Garden Centre Group led the way for British designers of Christmas products with Best of British displays as at Heighley Gate who won Gold for Greatest Display Team of a centre that's part of a group.]

Think Tapestries - one of last year's bestsellers. If you missed them in 2012 there are lots of new styles available for 2013, what will be the record number sold from one centre?

Look out for more great Christmas retailing ideas from The Greatest Awards over the coming weeks issues of GTN Xtra.