CHRISTMAS ADVENT

Christmas ornaments are used to festoon our tree with and they can range from a simple round bauble to a highly artistic design.

Recycling has took part in our homes for many years as we tend to use the same decorations each Christmas rather than purchasing new decorations annually.

I think that there is something rather special about opening your old boxes from the loft or wherever you keep them. With signs of many years of old taped up cardboard and that fragrance of orange and cinnamon which can set feelings of excitement, hope and sometimes sad memories. From one extreme to the other.

If we are ever lucky enough to be Grandparents, and as we have one child, that isn’t necessarily a certain, but I would hope that our tree would feature little decorations that I have spent time with our Grandchild each year making them to hang on the tree. I also love the idea of passing on decorations augmented from generation to generation.

Popular choices for our trees are snowmen, Santa Clause snowflakes, candy canes, tiny parcels and angels! In the 1870s, covered in gilt, there were peapods, to butterflies on springs. Candles, real flames, lanterns, pastry’s cut into star shapes bird nests, bird cages, baskets of fruit and bunches of grapes as well as oranges.

The modern blown glass was invented in the small German town of Lauscha in the mid 19 centuries, by Hans Gleiner. The Christmas bauble has been used to adorn our trees since 1847. Little tin ornaments were also used. I love the idea of an old fashioned Christmas tree as well as a modern one. If I had my way this year, I would have both, but because of all what is going on in our house, I will be lucky enough to get the modern one put up. Modern trees are easier than the old style, the old style take a lot more time and dedication. I find that homemakers tend to have the older style tree and career people tend to have the easier option. In my opinion, the old tree has memories. Feelings and love. The modern trees are todays life style. Fast, furious and little care.

In the 1840’s, the young Victoria, had her Christmas tree in the London newspapers decorated with gifts from her Husband Prince Albert whose native home was Germany, they started to export the glass baubles all over the world.

There is something so warm about a Christmas tree, when it’s time for it to come down, the house feels rather empty. There are things you can buy to keep the cosy nights alive in winter and that is either WoodWick candles which not only provide a fragrance of the lovely oil, but give off a wonderful crackle sound as the part you light, is a wooden log. Also, you can buy flowers that have electric lights. A vase of those in your room look lovely.