To have a massive boast-up that my Christmas tree looks effing awesome

[ViviPrudolf]

Not very British of me, but frankly, it does.

Aw rats! The top strand of lights has stopped working. :(

YABU. My tree is at a somewhat 'jaunty' angle, and will not yield to any attempts to straighten it. I thought maybe noone else would notice but everyone that's been in so far has commented. Hmmph.

I have REAL vintage mercury glass ornaments Vivi so a big fat red nosed v sign to you and your designer tree!

[tries to forget that tree is fake istead of real and cats will destroy it soon]

Cowbells duly strung. Beeswax candles sitting snugly in florist's sand. Come on Cox & Cox... bring my baubles NOW.

Everyone's trees sound lovely. (Apart from Mama Kladdkaka's perhaps, although Kladd yours sound right up my precise street).

Spermy, it's a piece of economic uncertainty alright. I'll be sobbing into my artfully aged old-gold acorns come the new year when I lose my key account and realise I've spent my entire self assessment liability on antique cowbells. Nehmind - its soooo pwetty

My tree is tiny, but a bit taller than last year and the year before as it is real and lives in the garden in a pot (which it broke this year!)

It is twinkling with new lights as the last ones stopped working before Twelfth Night last year. It is a collection of lovely unmatching ornaments, one of which is mine from my baby days, thus qualifying for Antiques Roadshow.

I really love bringing it in and having all these lights shining so brightly on these dark Winter nights. It feels like Yuletide now.

My one year old grandson is visiting soon so I may need to get some protection ready, he is very fond of trees but add some sparkle and nothing is gonna stop him!

@ Whoopsy. I lost out on an ebay auction for some authentic ones. Was it YOU who sniped me? Hmm?

Anyway, mine probably will be proper vintage by the time Mr. VP gets his head out of the sand and helps me make some Prulets.

ahh sounds lovely Earthy

Our tree will be amazing this year. It was pretty anyhow, covered in Dollar Tree ornaments in red and gold, but then an elderly man I had only met once before (whilst I did a free toy giveaway last year at Christmas for disadvantaged children) emailed and said he had something for my children. I met him and he handed me a large old cardboard box tied with a ribbon. The kids made him cards to thank him for whatever was inside. When we got home we opened the box to find an incredible number of Hallmark decorations, each in its own box and clearly carefully picked out over 20 years of his own family growing up. We spent a good few hours oohing and aahing over the little squirrels, unicorns, mice nibbling cookies and carousel animals, each child picking out their favourites that they wanted to hang on the tree.

We feel very blessed this year. The decorations are worth a good deal on ebay, but we aren't ever selling them, what a sweet gesture from this near stranger, to remember my kids and want to pass his collection on. We will carry on his tradition and buy each child an ornament in future years.

That it just lovely flying.

*is

vivi no mine are all charity shop finds...collected over the last 5 years. I found some strings of those old mercury glass beads last year....I have glass birds circa 1900 from the same lot! Lots of glass indents and painted figures too....sad thing I that I cant brig myself to put them up this year on account of new rescue cats!

Lo. Behold the 'Prugrotto

Beautiful, Vivi.

PS Where did you get that gorgeous 'sitting bassett' ?

Ds2 decorated ours he's best at it. It's real and covered in pine cones, very lush.

Thanks MrsC

It came free with my Cox & Cox faux-vintage baubles. Not very Christmassy though is it...

Mine looked fabulous until my 2 year old nephew pulled it down today :(

Now all the decs are just shoved back on and I can't get the bloody star on the top is wonky

dope that should say either.

I can't get the star on the top straight

or

the star on the top is wonky

Took the plunge and bought a fake tree from John Lewis its gorgeous and you can load the decs from top to bottom very pleased indeed

PS - Vivi you tree looks gorgeous

Load the decs...

Thank you Morelli. I am sure you're wonky star is magical

apologies for the atrocious apostrophe abuse there

Of course YABU vivi as BOTH of mine are even more awesome!! (I have 6 klad but I only count the ones over 6ft)

IABU.

Mine vary in awesomeness, from awesome chavvy shabby chic, to beautiful themes, to no themes to sparse.

I love trees I do.

So actually vivi YANBU at all, hurray for twinkly tree lovers!

Dammit... just looked at the photos... your is far more classy than any of mine.

Been through most of your pix They're lovely. Did you take most of them? I did a photography course too eons ago. You have a great eye.