It’s that time of year, when we all gather reverently around the Christmas tree and decorate it together, humming songs of love and peace and joy. Not.
“Mum, do I have to do this?”
“Mum, I want to do the next level on the shark game….” (on the laptop)
“Mum, this is pants”
You get the idea…..
The thing is, that the Christmas tree Chez Weston is not just any old Christmas tree – it’s a place of happiness and full of memories. The Angel at the top of the tree is as similar as I can get it to be, to the one I remember from my own Christmas tree as a child. There was always a ceremonial moment of “putting the tree up the angel’s bum” and that’s what we do in our own family now. Here’s a video of some of our efforts at doing it in 2015 – this afternoon….
After another two takes, Daddy Weston then got too annoyed, folded the top of the tree and did it himself. Classic.
Our Christmas tree is special to me because it’s the time of year when I get to look at some special decorations.
This is a very special decoration. The Christmas before I met Lovely Bloke, who has now become Daddy Weston, I was single. I had a lovely brand new flat in Welwyn Garden City, I’d bought furniture using back pay from a promotion at work and it was all good. But I couldn’t bring myself to buy a Christmas tree. I was alone and so lonely. It just didn’t feel right. But I did manage to buy this decoration and a couple more – I put them on the bay window, and they were my Christmas decorations that year. I love that she’s an angel, has a heart on her chest and looks positive. All the things that I was looking for in life at that time!!!
These are our Chinese decorations – we bought them whilst travelling China together, just before I got pregnant with Elliott. We’ve only got four altogether, but I remember that we’d learnt to haggle more on the price throughout our travels and that we both thought they looked kind of cool…. It seems like such a long time ago – travelling, not being married and not having the responsibilities that come with being a parent. I wouldn’t change any of it – but I do wish we’d done more travelling together before becoming parents.
This is the oldest decoration on my tree – it’s from the Christmas decorations at my own Mum and Dad’s house. I remember them so clearly and am glad that I sneaked it out. Why? Because a few years ago my Dad tidied out the loft and threw away every decoration we had – including all the ones my brother and I had made. My Mum’s still not forgiven him for skipping the Mary and Joseph I made using washing up liquid bottles….
These two decorations were made by the boys – at the point where they were both in the same room, a year apart, in Babraham Nursery. Elliott would have been 22 months old at the time, and a year later, William was 18 months old. I loved them being at Nursery – learning, sharing, eating food we’d not yet introduced them to. I think it was so good for them. And for me. It gave me a break and the space to get going with my first business as I ventured into self employment. This week we tried out street dancing and saw a Mum. She remembered Elliott from Nursery all those years ago – he left when he was three to join the pre school attached to the school they go to now – five years has gone by in a flash….
This decoration, and three more that are similar, were bought at the Sacre Cour church in Paris last weekend. Lovely Bloke and I hung out together for 48 hours. It was a much needed break and I felt good to buy something in a place that was quiet and sacred that would support the local people of Paris.
This is one of our newest decorations. I LOVE it. It’s from John Lewis – it’s sequins and light reflecting tastic. I am really pleased with them. We’re evolving towards more of these on our tree and buying a few each year. I hope they don’t stop stocking them – that will throw me out of synch!!
I bought 20 of these hearts last year, but didn’t get chance to use them – they were made by the daughter of someone at the school the boys go to, who wanted to make something and earn money in the run. I saw Mum at a birthday party – finishing them off for the daughter and wanted to literally add some love to the tree!!
I bought this in London with Mother Rouse. I couldn’t decide if it was a star or a star fish. We bought it in Liberty’s together. We’ve not been to London, to Liberty’s to buy a decoration this year. I hope we get chance to do it before Christmas as I love us making our own traditions together! x
And here she is, the belle of our ball. The Angel who sits atop our tree. I love her. Simply dressed but on message, with a light up her bum, looking happy. I think that’s what I’m aiming for, for myself over the next few weeks….
What does your Christmas tree look like? Do your decorations hold any meaning for you? Do you have a designed tree or a mish mash? Would love to see photos or for you to link to yours :)) x
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