How will you be decorating this year?

[QueenOfIce]

I know I know it's August but I'm having a rotten time at the moment so please indulge me and tell me all about how you'll be decorating this year.

It's our 1st year in our new home and 2nd without mum, last year I worked to avoid anything Christmas, this year I'll be putting up the tree on mums birthday like she did every year, I might join my local NT and try wreath making.

Our new kitchen island is being put in mid November so I intend to bake ridiculous amounts, make mulled wine listen to every Christmas song possible and invite all my friends and family to pop in during the festive season.

I cannot wait for the 1st Christmas bits to come out in the shops. Didn't think I'd ever feel like this again since mum.

What are your plans?

You’re in the Christmas topic op so never apologise for mentioning Christmas, especially in August when Christmas things start to appear in the shops.

I was in Australia last year for Christmas and while it was fantastic I’m already looking forward to Christmas this year, getting my tree up etc. I don’t tend to change my style just add in a few extra baubles

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I normally like the decorations to match and have a particular colour theme, usually gold, but this year want a bit of a change - everything bright, mismatched and multi coloured! 😄

My dad won't be putting up a tree this year, he's really struggling without mum. I wanted to ask if I could hang her baubles on my tree but I think that might be a bit much for him.

filthy use your vouchers to buy Christmas crockery - practical year after year and bits can be used as decorative items too. Portmerion do a fabulous pattern as does Emma Bridgewater.

Good idea oh, I've got some Spode Christmas mugs from years ago..I like to drink tea in them all year round

Sorry about your mum Queen and your cat Stompy.

My parents and PIL always do multicoloured mismatched bonkers decor, with a mix of beautiful and downright tacky objects added every year. The collections feature some amazing tat from the 70s and 80s.
I love it and still help my mum and MIL decorate their homes ever year. Weirdly me and DH are all about Pinterest-style matching colour themes

I’m not sure what we’re going for this year, watching with interest though.

Thanks for all the kind comments about my cat!

Does anyone have any tips for outdoor decorations that don't take an age to put up and take down?

Stompy have a look at some of the solar powered LED lights on Amazon. We’ve put little hooks that are permanently attached around the guttering of our extension and I can just hook the lights up really quickly and position the solar panel. Takes 10 min.

Also for anyone wanting to embrace colour, I thought this was incredible!

What do you use to hang things (lights, garlands...) up with? My mum used to use drawing pins but DH would have a fit. Consequently our decorations are very limited

Snow I use these

www.homebase.co.uk/3m-command-clear-adhesive-mini-hooks_p114316

I stuck them around our window and then hooked fairy lights. They also come in a bigger size so might be ok with a garland. Be careful they don't remove your paint work though.

Ohh that's ermmm lively Biscusting

Those 3M hooks are brilliant , I used the 3m double sided stickies for a Hallowe'en frieze , as long as you follow the instructions in removal they don't damage paint.

70isa you no likey? I think it’ll a gold/neutral theme for us bah!!

@Biscusting -that is gorgeous! That is the colours I always used to use but now we have gone the polar (sorry) opposite and have white and clear decorations. We will have moved by Christmas (not by choice) so planning my decorating will help mightily.

Not in the league of losing your Mum, though.

We were in rented accommodation last Christmas. I thought it would be rubbish. Our tree in storage and all the dec’s, tiny kitchen etc.
Turned out to be an amazing Christmas! Just throw yourself into it!

Great idea @ohhelpohnoitsa! For someone who loves Christmas as much ad I do, I am seriously lacking in the festive crockery and mug departmemt. Off to look on Debenhams and John Lewis website right now!

Queen, I would ask your dad about the baubals now, whilst there's no Christmas hype around. Say "I was wondering if....I'd love them on show because... but I will let you see how you feel about that...." then don't mention it again, leave the ball in his court. He might just surprise you and himself by December. If he doesn't, then start some traditions like having lunch in a garden centre each year and buying a new one. It must be so hard for you both. filthy I have the portmerion dinner service and mugs and two different sets of Christmas mugs from the Bridgewater factory shop....usually good sales around now, online too. queen are yours the holly and ivy ones? I remember them well (a little overinvested aren't I?)

Good idea oh thank you, I'll broach the subject gently when I see him. Mine are the Christmas tree mugs and also the large ones with the peppermint handle.

I saw some lovely sets in Debenhams last year Ashley Thomas D but I wasn't in the right frame of mind to buy the set. Hope they have them this year!

I've just been googling but it is so expensive! Love the look of them though. Will check out the Bridgewater factory shop now...

Our main house Dec's are usually same but tree is either blue or red theme.

Red theme is nutcracker and I adore it soooo much its hard to pull away back to blue.

I have picked up so much Xmas table ware from tk max, spode plates with Xmas tree and. More fun stuff

But.. Sadly the shop that stocks the absolute best Christmas ware including bedding etc is pottery barn in the states.

Command hooks are brilliant, and come off easily without damage but don’t leave them up too long. I’ve had some up for two years and they were very difficult to get off after that length. They go a bit brittle.

Getting my porch done soon and can't wait to put a tree in there!!

Can I recommend this website for amongst other things Spode Christmas Tree ware and Portmerion Holly and Ivy.