Trimming the tree 2014

Yesterday we (and when I say ‘we’, I mean ‘I’) could no longer hold back, and set about attending to one of my favourite activities of the year- decorating the Christmas tree! After an illness-plagued birthday on Saturday, I thought focusing on all things festive would cheer me up. We usually decorate the tree the weekend after my birthday, but since the day after happened to be a Sunday, we went forth and ‘festivified’ (my new word)!

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After seeing some fantastic blogs and videos featuring small children beaming with delight at this seasonal ritual, Adam and I were so excited to be doing this with Freddie and Sasha, particularly as F is now that bit older. Indeed, there was much interest at getting the new tree out of the box (which incidentally nearly caused a domestic as it was WAY bigger than expected, so a fair bit of furniture shuffling/muttered swearing took place before it could be set upon). However, sadly, we had two very tired and quite grumpy small people yesterday, after a week of illness and a later night then usual staying at Nanny and Grandad’s- and I think it all caught up with them both. F was so tired, and whilst he liked putting a couple of decorations on, was happier watching what was going on whilst curled up on a chair, which was fine.

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Sasha was keener, and enjoyed rooting through the box and asking what each decoration was. These glass teddy bears (below), a gift from Adam’s Aunty last year, particularly caught her eye!

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Madam has also been enjoying taking the candy canes on and off the tree. I think we’re going to have to move them higher up, as already we keep finding them hidden in small piles around the house!

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One of my favourite tree decorations. It’s really simple, but I find I’m actually quite old-skool when it comes to Christmas! Plus I do like a good robin 😉

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On the one day we had that appeared to be illness-free last week, we went to our local garden centre where I let each of the children choose a decoration for the tree. This a tradition that we started last year, and that we hope to keep up every year until they are grown up- then they can each take a box of their childhood decorations away with them to put on their own trees as adults!

Freddie chose this Father Christmas bauble this year…

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…and S chose a fairy!

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Every year I have to put our ancient family angel on top of the tree. It doesn’t go at all with our colour scheme, and looks ridiculously retro, but I can’t bear to part with it and can’t imagine anything else in its place! Adam humours me. He’s definitely a keeper 😉

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So here is the finished tree! It’s a beast and is probably far too big for our living room, but we love it, and more importantly, the children love it, despite not being that bothered about decorating it! I forget sometimes how little they still are, and that there will be plenty more years for them to really enjoy being part of this tradition- watch this space for tree decorating updates in 2015, 2016 and 2017! 😉 018

Have you put your tree up yet? Is this far too early?! And do your children enjoy helping you?

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11 Comments

  1. lifeatthelittlewood
    December 1, 2014 / 12:45 pm

    It’s gorgeous Becky! We so nearly went for this one – I thought it was fantastic for the price! It was just going to be too wide for our space though, Grrrr! 🙂 I love your idea of letting the kids choose a decoration each year. What a gorgeous tradition! Xxx

    • Becky
      Author
      December 11, 2014 / 2:26 pm

      Thanks Em, it is a beast, caused a lot of, er, ‘debate’ when we got it out of the box! x

  2. December 1, 2014 / 1:16 pm

    Lovely tree and kids! We are putting ours up next weekend!

    • Becky
      Author
      December 11, 2014 / 2:27 pm

      Thanks Natasha! Putting the tree up is one of my favourite parts of the whole festive season!

  3. mummydaddyme
    December 1, 2014 / 8:01 pm

    It looks gorgeous, and I actually love the retro fairy, she would look fab in our retro living room! x

    • Becky
      Author
      December 11, 2014 / 2:27 pm

      She so would! x

  4. Donna
    December 1, 2014 / 11:05 pm

    Your tree is beautiful! Ours went up on Friday and Hubby and I decorated it when the kids are in bed. LP and Little Man’s reaction when they came down in the morning was just amazing! x

    • Becky
      Author
      December 11, 2014 / 2:28 pm

      Thanks Donna! Aaaw, I bet your little one’s faces were a picture, so fab! x

  5. (Mostly) Yummy Mummy
    December 2, 2014 / 11:13 am

    Gorgeous! I’m hoping to put ours up at the weekend I can’t wait! It’s something that we all like to do together too 🙂

    • Becky
      Author
      December 11, 2014 / 2:28 pm

      Thank you! I hope they were more ‘into it’ than my two, haha! x

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