Monday 16 December 2013

Deck The Halls

This weekend saw the Christmas tree and decorations dragged out of the loft. We'd been contemplating buying a new tree this year, but went for some new lights instead and I'm quite happy. The tree's just the right size for the room and it still looks ok even though we've had it a few years now, so we've saved ourselves some money.


I enjoy reacquainting myself with all the decorations which we only see once a year, especially all the hand made ones which Daniel and Eleanor have added over the years. We lost one last year which Eleanor had made in primary school, a silver clay bauble which was the size and weight of a house brick, how it didn't make the tree topple over once hung I really don't know. Anyway, it broke last year so we don't have to worry about that anymore.

I've still got a couple of presents to buy, a few cards to write and all the presents to wrap but I'm hoping to get it all done this week. Daniel's home from university for the Christmas holidays already, Mick finishes work on Friday lunch time and Eleanor breaks up from school on Friday afternoon so Christmas starts on Friday evening for us. Bring it on.

32 comments:

  1. Hi Jo,

    It's all looking very festive indeed. I can't wait to gather our - albeit small - family together and really begin the process of Christmas. Exciting times! Until then, I am making merry with lots of Christmas films, scents and foody items (Christmas cake! Mince pies! Stollen!).

    Best wishes,
    Tash from vintagepretty.org

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    1. It's nice all four of us being home again for Christmas, it's been a bit quiet without Daniel. I'm hoping to start on some Christmas films this week too, they really get me in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy your family time together.

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  2. You sound as if you have everything under control Jo. I have been so far behind this year. Only finished writing the Christmas cards yesterday and still have most of the presents to wrap. Number 1 son and daughter arrive home this Friday too so Christmas will arrive in earnest on Friday evening.

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    1. I was behind at the start of the month but I've nearly caught up now. A big push this week and I should be done for Friday. I'm looking forward to it.

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  3. Looks good. Flighty xx

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    1. Thank you. It's not a brilliant photo but it gives you some idea.

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  4. Christmas starts here on Friday too, although 1 child has finished already & I have to work a few days nearer to Christmas, I'll relax after Friday! Your tree looks perfect, no need for a new one!

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    1. I don't think Mick's ever finished so early, it's just the way that Christmas falls this year that he's finishing on Friday. I'm glad that I saved my money now, the tree will last another couple of years.

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  5. Your tree looks fabulous and so full of baubles. Nearly there.
    Love from Mum
    xx

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    1. Thank you. I do like to see a full tree, we've got all different kinds of baubles and ornaments collected over the years.

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  6. Your tree looks great Jo. I love the idea of the housebrick weight ornament! I have a couple of those, I just stand them around the place, rather than add to the tree for fear that their weight might pull the whole thing over. Sad that it broke though! Hope you enjoy doing your last bits and bobs. xx

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    1. Thank you. It is quite sad that the ornament broke, though we've dragged it out every year for the past ten years with a smirk on our faces, we're missing it this year.

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  7. Lovely tree, hope you enjoy the festivities with your family

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    1. Thank you. I'm sure we will, I've just found out that we've got another two for Christmas dinner. My mum and dad usually spend every other Christmas with us, the other with my brother, but we didn't realise that my brother is spending Christmas away from home this year which means my mum and dad will be coming to us again this year. It will make it a lovely Christmas for us all.

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  8. Your tree looks so pretty. I know what you mean about unwrapping all the decorations - it's like seeing old friends after a long time.We will soon go from 2 to 3 and then to 5 - the house is going to feel very full and busy by this time next week!

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    1. Thank you. I try to add some new decorations each year so I forget many that we've got until I unwrap them again. It's lovely to have the family home at Christmas time, I wonder if Bold will be coming too.

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  9. That's my kind of Christmas tree.

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    1. I'm not one for anything too formal, a bit of a hotch potch is what it is.

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  10. The tree looks lovely and I try and buy/make one new ornament per year. This year is different as the tree and ornaments are packed away and I've had silly idea which I'll put into place this week. It'll be great for you to have all the family home for the festive season. Take care.

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    1. Thank you. I like adding something new to the tree each year, it keeps things interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing your silly idea, it's only for one year, you'll have your tree back again next year. I love having the family around me so it's nice that we're all back together again.

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  11. It's a beautiful tree and it's always a lot of fun unwrapping all the decorations you've collected over the years and adding a few more. It sounds as if you will be in festive mood by the end of the week with everyone home for the holidays.

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    1. Thank you. There's always something I forget about until I unwrap it again. We're all counting down the days here until Friday now.

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  12. Friday evening for us too. Your tree looks beautiful and I'm so glad you enjoyed putting it up together.

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    1. It's a lovely long run up to the big day when everyone finishes work and school so early. Thank you, I'm happy enough with the tree, it'll last a few more years.

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  13. Our tree is covered in homemade ornaments. We laugh at the old nursery-made ones every year but the tree just wouldn't look right without them. :oD

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    1. I know what you mean. Eleanor picked up something that Daniel had made in nursery and asked if we were really going to put that on. I notice that she didn't make the same enquiry about the ones she'd made though.

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  14. Love your colourful tree.
    Sounds like you're nearly all prepared for Xmas.
    Roll on Friday, when you'll be able to start relaxing and enjoying this wonderful time of the year with all your family around you.
    Jill x

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    1. You can't say it's got a colour theme, it's a definite hotch potch of colours. I'm looking forward to getting everything finished off and then we can all relax.

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  15. Looks really pretty Jo. I'm glad you have gone for an eclectic look too! I love to have the boldest brightest, even, dare I say it, garish colours on our main tree.
    I have only got a couple of days off work next week,not much of a festive break but I'm still looking forward to the time off. Have a great week!

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    1. There's everything on our tree, I don't really go for colour coordinated, they look beautiful but it wouldn't work in our house. I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever time you get off work. I used to have to work right through too, it makes you appreciate whatever time you get all the more.

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  16. Your tree looks beautiful, just as it should be. Our Christmas starts on Friday evening too, perhaps with some Christmas baking over the weekend, we'll see :) xx

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    1. There's nothing quite like the smells of baking wafting through the house as Christmas. I haven't started on any yet so I'm sure that will be happening here too.

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