| In our household, the excitement of Christmas | | | | Another tradition in our home concerns the |
| really begins when we all go to our local farm to | | | | Christmas decorations especially those on the |
| choose a Christmas tree. This particular farm | | | | tree. I know many people have immaculately |
| always brings in interesting animals to keep the | | | | colour co-ordinated decorations with nothing out |
| children occupied while Mum and Dad are | | | | of place. Our Christmas tree however is not quite |
| comparing trees. | | | | like that ! |
| Over the years,we have seen llamas, a large pig | | | | From the time each of our children started |
| with her new brood of babies, lambs, donkeys, | | | | nursery school at the age of three, they have |
| horses etc. One year, the "guest of honour"was | | | | brought home lovingly handmade decorations such |
| the very (huge) ox that had appeared in the | | | | as angels, snowmen, stars etc. which we |
| latest Harry Potter film ! | | | | decorated the tree with. I always discreetly |
| The weather is always cold (for England, anyway) | | | | labelled each decoration with the child's name and |
| with the icy wind whistling through the barn that | | | | age and carefully packed them away on the 12th |
| holds the traditional decorations, holly wreaths, | | | | night, ready to take out for next Christmas.This |
| bunches of mistletoe, willow baskets, fresh free | | | | continued throughout primary school. |
| range eggs and huge sacks of potatoes - all for | | | | My children enjoy making things so at home, we |
| sale. | | | | would get out the glass paints,rubber stamps |
| Once a tree has been chosen, the students | | | | stencils and make more decorations. My 13 year |
| specially employed for the Christmas holiday, | | | | old daughter is now adept at using my |
| prepare it for transport and help to tie it onto the | | | | embroidery machine to embroider christmas |
| roof rack. | | | | motifs onto fabric and then make them into |
| Every December since the children were born, we | | | | lovely padded shapes to hang from the tree. |
| have bought our Christmas tree from this farm | | | | Everything the children (and myself) have made |
| and spent time with the animals so that It has | | | | throughout the past 15 years is hung on the |
| now become a family tradition - the children are | | | | tree.The decorating does not look professional at |
| now teenagers and one nearly a teenager, but | | | | all but every item means something to us and |
| they would not dream of going anywhere else. | | | | brings back many memories. You can see the |
| Christmas is a time for tradition and family. Each | | | | progression in abilities and every piece is cherished |
| family can make traditions and memories like | | | | and talked about. Things don't have to be perfect |
| these that children will remember when they are | | | | to be treasured and loved. |
| grown and perhaps have children of their own. | | | | |