Putting up the xmas tree

I can’t believe that Christmas time has come around again – so soon! I know I say this every year, and every year it seems to come around even faster than the year before.

Putting all the panic, rush, parties, food and shopping aside – I just love Christmas time and every year I try to embrace it just that little bit more than the previous year. I find that about a month out it is good to step back and make some real effort to get into the Christmas spirit. Otherwise the day will be upon you and over with before you even know it!

he first way for me to do start embracing the Christmas spirit is to put up the Christmas tree. It is a tradition that I love and here are a couple of my tips:

1. Put your Xmas tree up at the beginning of December so you have nearly an entire month to enjoy it. I love coming home every day and seeing the tree as it is a constant reminder of this special time of year. It’s daggy, it’s very organised, but I don’t care.

2. Take time to buy yourself some lovely decorations for the tree. They don’t have to be expensive, but make sure they are of good quality. I bought most of my decorations over 15 years ago and they still look fabulous today.

3. Try to add new decorations every 2-3 years, so that you are reminded of the time you bought them, or who you received them from. My friend bought me some lovely decorations from Switzerland many years ago and they always make me think of her when I put them on the tree.

4. Real or fake tree? That’s really a personal choice. I prefer a fake tree as I always feel sorry for the real trees in our hot Australian climate. If you are going to buy a fake tree, spend some money on a good quality one as my current tree is 16 years old and doesn’t look it! I’m glad I spent the money on it at the time as it was money well spent.

5. Make sure you get some Christmas lights for your tree. I love the tradition of turning them on every night.

6.If you have bought some presents already, wrap them and place them under the tree. It adds to the fun of it all!

7. I have a rule that I like to have my Xmas tree down by the new year. Sometimes it doesn’t happen, but there is nothing worse than seeing a Xmas tree in someone’s house well into January.