I am not generally a buyer of magazines. But I make an exception for Christmas magazines. There is something enticing about a magazine with a beautiful tree, Christmas gift guides, menu plans, and Christmas crafts. Last week found me spending $12.50 (yes, they really are that expensive) for both the Family Circle Christmas edition and the Better Homes and Gardens Christmas special.
One thing that I love about a Christmas magazine is the perfection. Beautifully decorated rooms, delicious-looking Christmas feasts, gorgeous colour-co-ordinated gifts. I couldn't help having a chuckle when I started reading the Better Homes and Gardens "Top 10 (tree) trimming tips".
Trimming the tree: the Better Homes and Gardens way:
1) Pick a tree that suits the size of your space
2) Add lights before you hang your first decoration
3) Use a sturdy stool to secure your tree topper
4) Lay out your decorations before you start to see what you have to work with.
5) Group decorations by size and colour, adding larger ones first and working systematically around the tree
6) Long, dangly decorations should hang on the ends of branches to give them room
7) Step back and check your progress as you're working, moving any decorations that are too close together
8) Hang breakables higher on the tree, out of harm's way
9) Give children a specific task, such as hanging the coloured baubles that will go between the more intricate decorations
10) Keep it fun! Play Christmas music, help yourself to Christmas treats and, when you're finished, make a fuss of turning the lights on for the first time
Trimming the tree: Our way:
1) Wonder how you will fit your tree into your new, smaller house. Cram it in front of the heater, between the lounge and dining table
2) Allow your children free reign of the decorations when you open the box. After a considerable clump of decorations has been hung at the front of the tree, about 80cm from the floor, remember the lights. Spend about 20 minutes trying to untangle the lights (even though you spent 20 minutes untangling them before you put them away last year). Remind yourself to use the BHG tip of wrapping lights around a cardboard tube when you pack up this year.
3) Lift your 2 and 3-year-olds to add the tree toppers. You will need to re-position these to avoid them repeatedly falling to the floor
4) Forget about what decorations you have until they are all over the floor. Try to rescue the strings of beads and wrap them around the tree before your 2-year-old and 11-month-old wrap them around their necks.
5) Begin hanging your own decorations on the tree. Avoid the temptation to re-position the clump of decorations at the front of the tree. Instead, hang your decorations around the rest of the tree to try to deflect attention from the clump
6) Hang long, dangly decorations anywhere as quickly as possible before they find their way into the mouth of your 11-month-old
7) Step back and check your progress. Avoid watching your non-Christmas tree-loving husband roll his eyes as he walks in the front door to see you decorating the tree on 16th November.
8) Forget that you have breakable Christmas decorations until you notice your 2-year-old spinning them around by the strings, or your children throwing them out of the box onto the wooden floor. Rescue them as quickly as possible
9) Give children a specific task, but don't expect them to complete it before they become distracted by the next pretty thing coming out of the box. Don't worry too much about where they put decorations, as any within reach will be re-positioned multiple times over the next few weeks.
10) Keep it fun... for the first 20 minutes. After that, finish as quickly as possible, then feed, bathe and get children into bed asap. Sit down and have a coffee. You will need to preserve your energy for repeatedly moving your 11-month-old away from the Christmas tree over the next few weeks.
Is your Christmas tree up yet?
Someone lovely has nominated The Useful Box for the Circle of Moms' Top 25 Aussie Blogs list. I feel very honoured to be nominated. If you would like to vote for The Useful Box, click on the button, scroll down the list until you find my blurb and click "vote". You can vote every 24 hours. I know I don't stand a chance, but it is a nice way for some new people to find their way here, and offer their insights, ideas and opinions too.
