Christmas Decorating

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

After a couple of very stressful weeks (months) I finally managed to have a reasonably chilled out weekend. Putting the office Christmas party to one side (I don't feel much need to relive that) it all started on Saturday afternoon when the girls from the office, my man and I were volunteering to distribute/sell Christmas trees for the Bethany Trust. Here is a little intro from their website - 

"Buying a Caring Christmas Tree is simple but has a huge impact. When you buy your Caring Christmas Tree, you become part of a growing movement of people who refuse to accept the status quo. Every Caring Christmas Tree has the potential to create a happier today and a brighter tomorrow for the most vulnerable in our communities.

Our premium Nordman firs are freshly cut just for you. We source Scottish trees from local and sustainable growers. You can find out more about our trees under ‘About the trees’ . We are really proud of our trees and we are sure that you will be too. But remember, it’s not just about the trees themselves. The real difference with Caring Christmas Trees is that every tree purchased changes a life for the better."

The afternoon was so much fun (despite the hangover). People streamed in all day to collect the trees that they had ordered online. We got to help people choose their tree depending on their width requirements i.e. thin, fat, totally obese. I have always enjoyed choosing the family tree and this was the first time I have ever had the chance to help other people choose. Having said that there were a couple of the dads and husbands who a clearly bee forced along and just wanted any old tree to they could get out of there as quickly as possible (they were some of the funniest people too). After the tree was chosen we run it through the netting machine and then off it went to its new home. I'm definitely signing up to volunteer next year!

For helping out and an online donation, we got to choose our own tree from the ones left over. I quickly snapped up this beauty, doesn't it look brilliant even with the wonky snowflake! Plus it smells great :-)

I also got a chance earlier in the week to make my wreath. I have been planning this guy for ages. A couple of months ago I was having a walk round Edinburgh Botanic Gardens when I noticed that the cones had already come off the trees. Fortunately, my ever prepared man had a plastic bag with him and I was able to pick up loads. A few weeks after that I went for a day trip with my parents, grand parents and auntie P to Luss where they all helped me pick another half shopping bag full. 

As you can see from the photo I only actually used about 12 of the 60 or so pine cones I actually picked up. I ended up finding some lovely white trimmed holly which I love and I didn't want to cover it all up with cones. I did however really want to put some cinnamon sticks on it but yikes they are really expensive.  

The only things I bought were the rattan wreath, florists wire and dried oranges which were in a 3 for 2 at Hobbycraft. I also got the door hook for 99p at pound stretchers and the gold wire rim ribbon £2 for a roll at Tiger. 

All in all I'm very happy with it and a bit impressed considering I have never made one before. 

I finished my weekend with a big hot choc with marshmallows and cream whilst doing a little bit of last minute Christmas sewing next to my new tree. 

PS. I'm not in Chicago, I bought this mug to celebrate finally being on my way home after I got stuck on Central America thanks to hurricane Issac a couple of years ago.I never actually made it out of the airport.