Your Tree: prefab decoration "sets" or collection of various bits and pieces?

[noiamnot]

which do you do?

I bought new decorations this year - mostly flowers, butterflies and angels, but also a few glass balls and some gingerbread decorations.

Assorted stuff. Some of it quite old and lovely. Some it newer and lovely. Some if it newer and naff (DC's choices over the years) and some it home-made by DC.

We bought quite a lot last year as neither DP or I wanted to use decs hat we had with our ex-spouses. We did buy loads of different bits though, all different colours, shapes, sizes. I love the lack of 'theme'. My DSis can't look at the tree though, she says it looks 'untidy' hers is a symphony of white and silver...

Sheherazade - Gladly! Just Fed Ex me your old cashmere sweaters and I'll get some of my exploited workforce team of elves to start running up the bunting. Would you like an equine theme? And will the horses be wearing themed blankets and bridles? I'm sure I could help out there too

well ihave run out of old cashmere to recycle so i will put an order in with brora and get it delivered straight to you. for the stables i think the horse theme is too obvious. i was thinking New York crack house chic (tres amusant! non!)

Sheherazade - Excellent! You're quite right about the equine theme; I find it's very popular with people living in the city centre who haven't seen a blade of grass for years, but in the spacious surroundings of Sheherazade Acres I agree it would be too banal. Will go to the pharmacy now for a gross of syringes - if tied together with silver thread they will make the most chic bunting.

oh bocco darling you are worth your weight in gold you little treasure (do remember to use the staff entrance sweetheart - you wouldn't want to embarass me, tinkly laugh)

A collection built up over the years - many that I love and look forward to seeing each Christmas. I try to buy a few new decorations each year, to add to the collection, and this year my mum gave me some lovely decorations as part of my birthday present (my birthday was yesterday, so Christmassy stuff is appropriate).

We have a number of decorations made by the children, but I have to confess to hiding some of these round the back of the tree.

We're getting our tree next weekend, and I am so looking forward to having it up in the front room - I especially love white twinkly fairy lights and how festive they make me feel.

Both. Got one 'set' and then loads of little odds and sods we've accumulated.

I'm so sorry, Sheherazade. I think we have a little misapprehension here. My team of underpaid elves would of course use the staff entrance but I did not go to Benenden and then the rather exclusive Tyrolean Bunting Cupcake finishing school, to be forced to skulk around the back of the house like a mere servant. I think you would be the one who would be embarrassed, were that to be the case.

oh darling boco i didn't recognise you. i think we met on our yaarh out treking round nepal patronisng learning mountain craft from the peasant delightful mountain folk. mwah mwah.

i hate matching stuff - makes me barf.

Sheherazade - Oh yah! Don't you remember how much fun it was, building that school for those sweet local children? It really didn't matter that neither we nor Tarquin or Peregrine had ever so much as seen a brick before (all our houses are stone - brick somehow seems too nouveau, non?). And have you heard, Peregrine expects to be paroled soon!

Now, how soon will the brora delivery get here? I take it you paid extra for same day delivery?

Ds (4) already has good taste. We were walking to nursery this morning and he said "mummy we really need some more decorations" I asked him what sort of decorations he wanted expecting him to ask for an inflatable santa or dancing snowman and he said "I would really really like one of those lalaland (garland) things that you put along the stair rail with twinking lights and ribbons". He is well trained!