I am devastatingly disorganised this year with Christmas goings on. Like huuugely late with just about everything. It's the twenty second today, and I finally managed to get out in the snow to mail parcels off to my family. I asked my friend who was with me if she thought the parcels would get there on time if I posted them First Class. She looked at me, shook her head and said "not a cat in Hells chance!" Ahh, that's a resounding No then. Pffffff. I sent a message to my brother asking him to tell my poor wee nephews that their Aunt Lucy is a dreadful scatterbrain, and that their gifts would be a tad late. My parents already know that their daughter is a dreadful scatterbrain and never expect things to arrive on time anyways, least of all at Christmas when there are a million and one things scrambling for my attention.
But late gifts and unwritten cards aside, the house is in full festive swing and is well and truly Decorated for Christmas. That at least is one thing that seems to've happened on time and without a hitch. Pheww.
Our tree and decs came up and down from the cellar and the attic on the twelfth of December, much to the delight of the Littlies. Oh yes, delight too for their dreadfully scatterbrained Mother who positively loves to be reunited with her beloved decorations each year. Not sure who was more excited, but it was lovely-lovely-lovely. Such a thrill to unpack all the baubles (ahhhhhhh the colours!!!), and to gently unwrap the tissue paper surrounding our favourite decorations. They did not disappoint.
The lights, well the lights were a little troublesome this year. They were quite stubbornly tangled for a while. You can see I had some untangling assistance from my little mini sidekick, he thought the lights were incredible. In-CRED-I-BLe. If you could look up from those chubby little hands and see the look of delight on his face, you would melt I tell you. Oh yes, he loved the lights so much!
The tree, our old old artificial one from yonks back which cost us £7.50 is still going strong. And as usual, all of the decorating was carried out by the Little People. We had to do it over several days cos there was quite a bit of argumentation over who-gets-to-balance-precariously-on-the-back-of-the-sofa-to-hang-the-high-up-decorations, and I had to referee quite fiercely. But they did eventually manage between them to do a cracking good job.
I took this photograph one morning last week when the sun was streaming in through the bay window....the reflections all across the wall and ceiling were mesmerising, it was soo beautiful.
And of course at night the tree lights give the whole room that special magical Christmas glow....so glad that last year I made the switch from white lights to coloured ones, there is something very nostalgic about coloured Christmas tree lights don't you think??
And this is our fireplace....
....with the mini pom pom and snowflake garland looking quite fabby if I say so myself.
The paper snowflakes in front of the window have been a huge success and everyone who's visited our house recently has loved them. I've already decided that these will most definitely not be taken down on twelfth night, they'll stay up until the Spring time. Cos they are Seasonal rather than Festive, yup.
The beautifully coloured foil paper chains I made last week are also looking lovely, if a bit over the top. I love them, but then I do love childish things and understand they are not for everyone.
I've bought these Seasonal Tulips every year since I've lived in this house (our fourth Christmas here), they are always reliably in the supermarket and only cost a few pounds.
I know the "seasonal" bit of the bouquet only amounts to some sprayed gold twigs in with the bog standard tulips, but I love it all the same.
I also love-love-love these darling little robins, oh my goodness, they made me so ridiculously happy when I came across them squished at the bottom of one of the Christmas bags. The Little People made them last year, I think they are completely adorable and I hope they stick around for many more Christmases to come.
These are the little bits and bobs that are on our table at the moment. The Christmas house tin is a particular favourite (I bought it from John Lewis two years ago), it has a mechanical wind-up music box inside it which plays a wibbly wobbly tinny version of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". We wind it up after each evening meal when the LP get to have a chocolate from the tin, and we've discovered that Little B also likes it a lot. He sits at the table in his high chair and bops to the music, very cute indeed.
These little objects were greeted with such excitement by the Little Peeps this year because they remembered them so fondly from last year and the year before that. I love the idea that through our decorations we are tentatively building some simple family traditions around Christmas time. Creating Childhood Memories for the Little People if you like.
Makes me very happy.
Very-very-very happy in fact ♥
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Very late for Xmas but I just need to say I loved your xmas tree! So cute.
You are a life artist, you really are.
Posted by: Beth | March 05, 2011 at 01:02 PM
Hi Lucy,
I have searched high and low for double sided metallic papers to make the paper chains similar to the one's you have made. They are absolutely beautiful. Can you please tell me where you bought the paper or the chains?
I spent 2 days on the internet searching for the same with no luck :( yet.
Thank you,
naga
Posted by: naga | January 18, 2011 at 10:10 PM
Hi Lucy, Great to c the decorated tree and house..Very colorfull!!! i just go mad for that pretty sweet flowers... http://www.edgonline.com/ Lighting work is adorable....
Posted by: Home theater designer | January 12, 2011 at 05:20 AM
Absolutely wonderful Christmas environment! Your decorations are so charming and beautiful, thanks for sharing your home with us.
Posted by: Julie | December 29, 2010 at 11:01 PM
wundervolle fotos!!!!
Posted by: Sania | December 26, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Happy Holidays to you and your entire family, Lucy. You have made a wondrous home filled with love and gorgeous accents for all days that beam devotion and peace into all your hearts. Thank you for bringing us with you inside.
Posted by: Lynda M O | December 25, 2010 at 04:38 AM
Love your decorations, I too tried to switch to coloured lights this year but still have white, the ones i bought where to deep in colour and lacked that colourful display that i remember from being a child. So still searching!
Merry Christmas to you all x
Posted by: Katy | December 24, 2010 at 09:27 PM
I hope that you all have a wonderful day Lucy, it would be great to hear about your Christmas day when your back to blogging. We are spending the day with family, and eating a roast dinner with two of my homemade cakes for afters. We dont celebrate Christmas, but im still really looking forward to the day!
Aqeela xx
Posted by: aqeela | December 24, 2010 at 09:08 PM
A big, big Thank You for all the wonderful inspiration you have given over the year. You are greatly talented, but your outstanding gift is that of making such special moments out of ordinary everyday situations and commonplace things. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas.
Posted by: ScoobyDoo | December 24, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Have a very Happy Xmas and New Year. Thank you for encouraging me to learn how to crochet this year. Three blankets made already, many more projects in the pipeline... xx
Posted by: Juliab | December 24, 2010 at 04:19 PM
Lucy, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and thank you for beautiful crochet, all patterns and your sunshine blog. Thank you so much. Happiness!
Posted by: Marcia from Brazil | December 24, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Lovely decorations all over the house! You can put the snowflakes into thermoplastic to keep them for ever!That's what teachers in my school do!Have a Merry Christmas with your family!Ariadne from Greece!
Posted by: Ariadne | December 24, 2010 at 01:22 PM
Hi Lucy, thank you for sharing your projects, you're truly inspiring!
Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Valentina | December 24, 2010 at 01:00 PM
Great post as usual....Pictures of Christmas are awesome,i love all....Merry Christmas..
Posted by: location majorque | December 24, 2010 at 11:22 AM
Happy Christmas Lucy to you and your family in your colourful world.
Posted by: anne@andamento | December 24, 2010 at 10:43 AM
Wishing you lots of happiness and sofa time this Christmas.
Alicex
Posted by: Alice C | December 24, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Hello Lucy, Your home must be the cutest home in all the world, and such a lovely place for children to grow up.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Hugs
Susanne
Posted by: Frualbertssons | December 24, 2010 at 08:00 AM
Your tree is beautiful - I love it with the light reflecting on the walls.
I miss the excitement of my little person who is now a big teen person (17).He does still love the traditions though he shows a reserved enthusiasm compared to his little days.
Posted by: Jen | December 24, 2010 at 01:46 AM
Dear Lucy our tree always gets decorated on Christmas Eve. Seeing your tree
reminded me of all our decorations(the first ones we had were made by one of my sisters,and one is from my parents that they had on their first tree).
We still have them.
Happy Christmas!!!!
Posted by: Sarah west mids uk | December 24, 2010 at 12:09 AM
Thanks Lucy for bringing the colour to our lives that you do. You have inspired me, not only in the things I create but in the way I step forward each day to be grateful for what I have in my life.
I wish you a happy and healthy 2011 and a very happy Christmas in your wonderland of colour and cheer.
Cheers
Lee
Posted by: Lee | December 23, 2010 at 11:59 PM
I am a silent reader, but now I have to say: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Germany
Elsbeth
Posted by: Elsbeth | December 23, 2010 at 09:17 PM
Merry Christmas Lucy! Your decorations look fabulous! I too am running waaaaay behind but hey....hopefully it will all turn out OK on the day. Thanks for sharing xxx
Posted by: Louise | December 23, 2010 at 07:49 PM
Happy Christmas to you all Lucy. Hope you have a fantastic time.
Sally x - Portsmouth.
Posted by: Sally | December 23, 2010 at 07:22 PM
Enjoy your holiday Lucy. A very merry Christmas to you all. Thank you for sharing your creativity & love of life with each of us.
God bless,
Jenn
Posted by: Jennifer W | December 23, 2010 at 07:10 PM
I found your blog by chance when looking for croche explanations- iam making a big blanket with the granny squares - and i was mesmerised by the beauty of your blog -since then- I visit it every day to have some inspiration of your "light"
I apologise for my english
Simona from Israel
Posted by: Simona Larom | December 23, 2010 at 06:41 PM