Sunday morning started in the same way that it always does, apart from today I was jumped on at 8.00am by my son asking when we were putting up the Christmas tree. He has been asking for weeks and I had agreed we would do it today. I lay in bed trying to force the will to get out from under my duvet.

A few days ago my 5 year old told me that her Wish bear care bear has a hole in his back. Today I sat on Google trying to work out how to repair him. I came to the conclusion that Teddy bear hospitals would be too expensive. Then I looked at Amazon to buy her a new one and large Wish bear is no longer available. I think I am going to just have to do my best to stitch it. Stuffing was in her bed and on the bathroom floor last night so poor Wish bear is likely to lose more if I don’t do something, he is now on my to-do list.

Getting out of bed I went and made myself some breakfast and sat and drank my coffee. I then sorted out the ironing, whilst listening to Christmas music. My 7 year old lay on the iPad watching me, willing me to hurry up as he wanted the tree to be put up. Once completed I hung the clothes in the kid’s wardrobes, then got the ladder to go up into the loft.

Climbing into the loft I found the Christmas tree and heavy box of decorations. One year we might buy a real tree but for now, the plastic one is easier. I passed daddy the heavy box through the loft hatch. Yesterday my 7 year old had offered to help me get the decorations down, I think today he realised that I was telling the truth when I said that I needed daddy to help me.

Finally, he had got what he wanted and we were putting the tree up. Arguments over tinsel and baubles, whether the Angel will sit on the top or the star. Yesterday I bought some new Christmas lights. I have had the previous ones for about 20 years and on both of them, they should have a white fuse bulb. Last year one set stopped working and we could not work out which bulb had gone and could not find a white one. The other set still works but the white bulb is also missing. The new blue lights have eight different sequences and they make a big difference to the tree.

The Father Christmas and Snowman in the featured image were bought in the January sales, they are now looking effective on our fireplace.  I also bought teddy bear lights now hanging over our mirror.

The front room now looks like Christmas and the Christmas cards are steadily arriving adding to the magic.

The children both read their books today and they both ate their dinner, lasagne. Despite our 7 year old complaining that he did not like the white sauce, he asked for more and then ate most of it.

Putting them to bed my little boy went to sleep quickly, he was tired. My daughter is still awake and it is now 9.00pm. She has come back downstairs a few times and I have carried her back to bed. I can hear her now talking to herself, I am assuming she is playing with her toys, hopefully not drawing on her wall.

So we have achieved decorating for Christmas, another job done. Do you know why we put trees in our houses at Christmas?  Pagans decorate the branches during the winter solstice as it makes them think of the spring to come. Christians use it as a sign of everlasting life with God. The lights symbolise Christ being the light of the world. Electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. Putting candles on the tree dates back to the 17th century, it originated in Germany before spreading to Eastern Europe. Now we use electric lights there are fewer fires caused by candles at Christmas.

Monday again tomorrow, another busy day. One more week to go before Christmas and a week off work. The children’s last day at school is Friday.  All the bags are now ready for the morning, ready to be grabbed as we walk out of the door.

I am now going to go and get some rest. Build up some energy so I have the strength for work tomorrow and the stress of Monday morning.

For more Christmas see, Christmas poetry,