It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

When I was a lass, my parents wouldn't let us put the Christmas tree up until at least two weeks before the big day. Now of course, I am mistress of my own domain, so it goes up when I say! I think that as long as it's December, then that's fine - don't you?

We have certain rituals with our decorating. Christmas music should be playing softly in the background - a bit of Bing always goes down well - and a glass of something warming (over ice...you know what I'm talking about... it's not hot chocolate!).

Once the scene is set, and the man of the house has been sent up the loft to retrieve the boxes, then it's time for the joyful recollection as we discover the forgotten treasures. Don't you just love those magical rediscoveries as you pull the angels and Santas from the tangled Christmas lights? (darn that Knot Fairy - she gets everywhere!)

Small boy and I get to decorate the tree, though he's not such a short legs as he was last year - this is also evident in his decoration skills. No longer does he insist on placing every item on one branch - there's still a little tidying up for Mum to do when he's not looking though! He's also still wee enough not to reach the top, so I get to place the little angel on her perch!

And now we're done. The moggies wander by for a look. They've grown out of attacking the tree; just like the little ones, they prefer the boxes - what is it with cats and cardboard?

This skinny-limbed Santa is a new purchase. He hangs from elastic and gets to bungee-jump from the top most branches. Maybe the Big Fella himself could try this - imagine the speed with which he'd be able to deliver those presents. Rudolf could keep the sleigh steady above the chimney, then down he'd go fully laden, only to pop up empty handed a few seconds later! There wouldn't even be time to get sooty whiskers! Mind you, he'd have to down those brandies pretty quickly...

Posting my Santa for Sunday Sketches and my joyful ramblings (have you guessed I'm excited) for Sunday Scribblings! You may also have spotted that the blog did not escape the seasonal glitz!