I'm starting VERY early this year

[debih]

I have just put the two wooden advent calenders up. I can't put them in their usual places as we don't have a mantel over the fire in the lounge yet. So the tall one that looks like a house with a tree has had to go in the dining room on the fireplace and the nativity scene one has gone in the lounge on the sideboard.

I have got the two little pop up trees (about 1ft tall) out and put them in the girls rooms, although they aren't allowed to take them out of the boxes until they have tidied their desks and made room for them!!!! I might look out for two similar sized ones in the sale that have the fibre optic lights on them - they'll love them for next year! These ones are just pyramids of tinsel that hang on a stand.

I have also got the naff tacky flashing light up angel thing out for Mick to put on the roof when the mood takes him.

I'm sure I must have told the story a hundred times but here we go again (just in case I haven't!!). Other than nice, classy white lights neither of us like outside christmas lights (we're happy to go and look at them elsewhere but would never have dreamt have having them on our own house). Then many years ago (S was still at playgroup so at least 8 years ago) we won a flashing snowman light thing in a Christmas raffle - one of those rope light things in the shape of a snowman. Its about 3 foot high. We found it very funny and I assumed that it would be given to one of Mick's friends who lights his house up for charity every year. Then I arrived home mid December to find the damned thing on the roof, flashing away. (He had put it out of the attic window, fixing it there with string).

The following year a few neighbours asked us when it was going up. So up the damned thing went. The year after quite a few people commented that they know Christmas has started when the snowman went on the roof - so it has become a tradition that at some point Mick puts it up on the roof. Last year he (the snowman, not Mick) looked rather worse for wear as his hat was only going so far off his head. So after Christmas I went to B&M Bargains and spotted one in the shape of an angel and bought it for him.

I have no idea if it flashes. But I have already mentioned to the neighbours that they are in for a treat this year. I am hoping that the part-flashing snowman gets relegated to the tip now.

[Diflower]

It probably helps them find their way home Debih, especially when you're snowed in

[Kaz]

LOL Debih

Our tree will go up either next weekend or the weekend after - Pepper never bothers with it, but I hope Fraggle will behave himself

[Kaz]

Written the cards!!!! Whoopee, that's a job over for another 12 months

[debih]

I got almost half way through mine and got distracted!

I will try to finish them tomorrow night - although it is pamper day so I shall be rather tipsy!!!

[Kaz]

Probably makes it less of a chore

[debih]

I dont mind the cards - its the present wrapping I detest.

[Kaz]

Don't like doing that either

[meriad]

Well the tree (on it's own, no lights nor decorations yet) is up and both Henry and Ava were having a good chew at one of the branches, but thankfully haven't tried climbing it - so I think I'm safe

Didn't get much else done in the way of decorating anything so won't bother now until next Monday. I'm only home three days this week - off to Germany on Thursday morning to spend 4 days with my mom - so will no doubt be buying a thing or two (or more) at the Christmas market there

Debih - I really do hope your angel flashes; it wouldn't be the same otherwise!

[Ally]

Ria..I'm off to the UK Thursday morning.

Shall we wave to each other on the flight path?