Deck the Halls

My sister-in-law, Samina, is an excellent festive co-decorator. She does not ridicule my frivolity as I produce yet more baubles and fripperies, nor lose patience while I faff around with bits and bobs. I know that I am safe to fiddle around with lengths of ivy and ribbon and that she will patiently tell me whether it needs to go "a bit to the right" or "a little to the left".

Last Sunday we set to unleashing Christmas in the cottage, having already roped my husband in to getting the tree and decorations down from the loft earlier on in the day we were able to plough straight. Approaching it like seasoned pros we got the be-decking down to a fine art with the tree up and lights incredibly well distributed (even if I say so myself) in about an hour.

I haven't bought many new baubles this year, but I have got a second wreath which I procured after I saw a photo of one suspended in front of a mirror in last January's Homes & Antiques magazine. I bought the same wreath and a length of vintage oyster satin ribbon from Etsy. When I received it I couldn't believe the weight and thickness of the ribbon, much better quality than ribbon manufactured today. Perhaps the oyster shade is maybe too similar to the window frame, next year I will have to try some different colours!

We will be up in Scotland for part of the festive period, spending some time with my family in my Mum and Dad's lovely Scottish farmhouse and enjoying crisp frosty walks and crackling wood fires! Wherever you are spending Christmas I wish that all your celebrations are merry and bright!