Having moved the week before Christmas last year, I missed all the excitement and anticipation so I was determined to start early this year. There was no time for considered placement of decorations when I was in the throes of moving, so the tree went in the conservatory. It was in full view of the living room but somehow wasn’t the same, so this year, into my tiny living room it had to go. This has involved a certain amount of furniture removing and I am not sure how or where I am going to put the dining table up but I’ll cross that bridge when the time comes. I do love Christmas traditions and I am proud that my tree contains ornaments that span nine decades. The earliest my parents had when they first married in the 1940s. The family come for Christmas each year, with copies of historic family photos strung up on peg lights that are designed for Christmas cards. Not many people have their 4x great grandfather observing the festivities.

Sadly, not everyone has happy memories of Christmases past, nor are they able to enjoy Christmas present. If your childhood Christmases were special, do record your recollections for future generations. You can read mine here. I’ve also written about the historic Christmas tree decorations, how many did you have on your childhood trees and do you still have them?