Why settle for having these cute little birds on a Christmas card when you could have them living in your garden? People can do a few specific jobs in their garden throughout October and November to attract flocks of robins by December.

Whilst the tiny bird is commonly seen throughout the year, it has a massive popularity boost in the winter and in the lead-up to Christmas. It is claimed that their link to the season dates as far back as the Victorian era, when people would refer to the postal workers as robins, leading to the bird making its way onto the cards we still make and send today.

Mature adult robins have that unmistakable red breast and are known to sing nearly all year round. With the perfect conditions, you could create your own living Christmas card scene by attracting robins to your garden and making it a worthy place to call home.

You could start doing certain things now to set things in motion and have these festive-looking birds visiting by December. The best way to attract these little birds is to satisfy their biggest need -- food.

Having a reasonable source of their favourite foods will keep them coming back day after day -- and they might even settle in to cut down on their commute to the garden.

Robins don't tend to use hanging feeders as they prefer to perch while eating - so consider this when getting your supplies together. Robins are ground feeders, so a low tray or a covered bird table placed away from where other animals, like cats, can easily access it is ideal.

While it might go against your garden's clean aesthetic, it's a good idea to leave some areas where insects can thrive. This will offer the robins a frequent spot where something they naturally like to hunt will be, putting your garden on their internal maps as the perfect foraging spot to visit regularly.

To encourage robins to make a permanent home in the garden instead of just visiting, invest in a place for them to build a nest. Although robins have been known to be unfazed by peculiar spots, it's best to pick out an open-fronted bird box and position it near some ivy or climbing plants to provide safe places for them to nest.

As important as food is, nothing can survive without water. Consider installing a birdbath with clean, fresh water suitable for both drinking and bathing. You can buy heated versions that won't freeze over in the winter like most natural water sources that birds rely on.

Finally, people should have patience and prepare themselves for the process. Building trust can take a significant amount of time. Persevere through the process, and eventually, the robin may decide to move in.