So this is Christmas 2011

I am completely in love with the aqua and purple Christmas tree. The colours are so gorgeous together! As you can see I'm a little anal about the tree and work with a system to make it perfect. I have always loved Christmas though it has been a struggle the last 13 years with Grace dying so close to Christmas. We used to be the Christmas lights outside type people but haven't been able to do it since the year Grace was born. The last 2 years I have had more Christmas spirit back and am going crazy decorating inside. I don't know it just gives me a warm gooey feeling :)

Some of the best tips for decorating your tree I have discovered over the years are

• lights shouldn't just go on the outer branches, arrange them so they go towards the trunk as well as the tip of the branch. 100 lights per foot of tree is what is recommended. I'm about 150 lights off that but there's always next year 
• Ornaments also shouldn't just be used on the tips of branches. Place some towards the centre of the tree, especially shiny ones as they reflect the lights brilliantly.
• In decorating the tree I try to go with a sudoko frame of mind. Within 6 of the ornament in all directions should not be one of the same colour and style ie matt, shiny, glittery. Yes that's my OCD kicking in.
• Most trees need about 40% more decorations than you are used to putting on. Sounds scary but with the budget shops around now it's not that difficult or expensive to build your collection.
• Any dangling ornaments should be able to dangle freely, don't be scared to bend the branches up if you have an artificial tree.
• Lastly and most importantly give your tree a good fluffing when you unpack it. Yes it's time consuming but work on every branch to have the perfect shape.
• Most of all have fun! I'm not one to follow interior decorators ideals of having your tree match your room, I say go crazy do whatever colour combination you want and by the time you add tinsel and garlands around the room it all fits together beautifully.

Hope that helps someone!