How long does it take you to put the decorations up?

[Guitargirl]

I was home from work today so thought I would sort out the decorations. Bought the tree yesterday, got everything out and ready to go early in the morning while the DCs were still asleep. After previous years where we ended up with decoration chaos, I was pretty anal organised about packing everything away last year so there wasn't much to really 'sort out' this morning. I started after getting back from the school run and finished at 2:45. I then spent the next few hours following behind DS (aged 2.10) who wanted to play 'hide the decorations' to make sure all my hard work wasn't going to end up chucked down the back of the sofa ...

It's great now that the DCs are in bed and I can sit on the sofa in peace and watch the twinkliness but what's the betting that by the time I get home tomorrow it will be decoration madness yet again.

So, I guess what am asking is
a) how long do you take to decorate and
b) how old do your DCs have to be before you can decorate safe in the knowledge that a small pair of mischievous hands isn't going to mess it all up!?

[LordOfTheFlies]

We don't put the decorations up until after DS birthday on the 7th.

And answer a is all flippin day!
b I had decorations when the DCs were little but no tree until my DD was 4 because my tree decs are glass and some are now 20+ years old.

But I decorate the banister -and the DCs help- with non-breakables.
The banister in the hall- pine swag and lights.And I have to put them on nicely or else they're a nightmare to remove.
The square arch between the back room/dining room
The downstairs loo-
The kitchen- not much here- lights on top of the cupboards and candles
And the porch

We've got a little potted live tree which has solar lights.

My DS used to like the chocolate decorations and I found the empty foils hanging there, the contents mysteriously missing! (He still likes them,he hides the evidence now)

[JjingleBeanplusPudalltheway]

I started over a week ago, its a gradual process when your pregnant grumpy and nauseaus, and we decorate every room, so living room,
fireplace and mantle piece (garlands, lights, ornaments)
7ft tree,
every photoframe is trimmed,
Couch throw cushion covers changed to christmas ones.
Tv unit has christmas ornaments etc.

all christmas kitchenware put out normal packed away etc. Lights on cupboards.

Dinning room has the table dressed, photos down, advents up, shelves cleared and christmas bits in there place. Open banister festively adorned. Very large garland along one picture rail, longest wall.

Outside, lights frame door. Santa stop here, and multi coloured lanterns on the garage.

Toilets/bathrooms. Christmas hand towels, soap and toilet roll

Dcs rooms, small tree each. Tinsel etc. Lights in windows.

I think that's it... Were getting there.