As Andy Williams (yes I had to google that!) tells us, its the most wonderful time of the year - and I for one love starting Christmas as early as possible. It is only ever my husband that tried to put the brakes on and gets me to hold out until at least December 1st.
This year however, I’ve gone early and got my tree up in November. My reasoning is that a) it is December this week b) we are going Skiing the week before Christmas so I need them up early to get my hours-worthof enjoyment and c) we’ve teamed up with The White Company to share with you our Sunday decorating the tree.
I’ve actually been slipping in a few decorations around the home the last week or so, under the pretence that these were ‘winter home accessories’ rather than Christmas decorations, with sheepskin rugs and my mini trees either side of the fireplace. However, now we got serious!
We had a really lazy Sunday, getting into Christmas mode - with a Christmas film and unpacking all the decorations saw Sophie staying in her pyjamas most of the morning. Gareth behind the lens was also dressed for the occasion in his Christmas jumper, whereas I went for a more subtle option of this beautiful Sparkle Wrap Jumper and Feather Pom Pom Slippers, that I can already see my self living over Christmas.
I’ve had a white, silver and gold tree ever since we had our first flat together and every year I add a few more decorations. This year I chose Faceted Antiqued Stars which beautifully sparkly, white bells which really ring and to go lower down the tree, a set of mini beaded hearts - that are more Sophie proof!
As well as these more grown-up decorations I also chose the cutest Mimi Ballerina Mouse to go on the tree although, Sophie is so in love with her, Mimi has spent more time being played with than amongst the foliage!
We bought our artificial tree last year as our previous house had underfloor heating and killed off the ‘real’ trees we had bought in previous trees far too quickly. As hassle free as our faux tree is, I do really miss the beautiful pine aromas… however, The White Company has a great way to get round this. Little ceramic star decorations that you hang on the tree with a little spritzer of my favourite Winter fragrance that keeps the tree smelling amazing, NEARLY as goos as the real thing.
At two and a half, this is the first year that Sophie is getting excited about Christmas, telling me what she’d like Father Christmas to bring her and she loved helping put the decorations on the tree, she was so careful hanging the little loops over the branches and choosing where she wanted to put them.
She is also so excited about her stocking and that Father Christmas is going to come down the chimney to fill it with presents! I would have loved a matching reindeer pompom nose stocking too, but settled with the more grown up Fairisle knit for Gareth and my stockings - I hope we make the ‘good’ list too. To make sure FC knows who’s os who’s I’ve popped little gift tag initials on - which also gives a personal touch.
The big fireplace has to be one of my favourite features of our new home (teamed with the flu height bay windows where we've homed our tree) and I have really enjoyed giving it the festive treatment. I love this beautiful Rosemary and Pinecone garland, and its 180cm length means that it even fits even the biggest fireplaces. We then added our stocking hooks that my mother in law has bought us over the years as advent-treats and candles in my mercury candle pillars at either end. To make the garland even more magical I've added beautiful star lights.
All that decorating is hard work, so when we were finished it was time for a cup of tea and lots of cuddles whilst we admired our morning’s efforts.
When are you going to be putting your tree and decorations up? Are you over-enthusiastic like me or are you more of a decorate on Christmas Eve type of person?
Happy nearly-advent everyone!