Some people go a bit overboard with Christmas decorations. There is at least one house in every town and village which is known for its lights. Some men (and, yes – let’s admit it, this is a male thing) feel the need to keep up with the neighbours, competing for who can leave the biggest carbon footprint over the festive season. Animated reindeer on the roof, Santa climbing up the drainpipe like a common criminal, lights, lights... and yet more lights!
But who needs all that?
Decorating your house can be a great opportunity to spend time with your children. And, let’s face it, they’re going to enjoy it more if they can be fully involved. Holding a ladder for you as you fix the lights to the side of the house is not nearly as fun as making your own decorations. There are lots of ideas on the internet (just Google ‘make your own decorations’) – but below are two of the more traditional items. Don’t be put off by their Blue Peter heritage, they are great fun to make!
Oranges stuffed with cloves
Nice and easy this one. Grab a bag of oranges and some cloves and stick the cloves in the skin of the orange. Not only does it make the room smell wonderfully festive, it also acts as a handy de-odoriser. Hang 'em up on the tree with a bit of string.
Paper chains
These are classic. Never underestimate the difference a few paper chains can make. If you use glossy magazine's they'll look nice and shiny, but we're just using strips from a newspaper.
Here's what do do:
- Start by cutting your paper or magazine into lots of long strips.
- Now stick a bit of glue on the end of one of the strips and fold and stick the strip in a loop. Yes, it's really that easy.
- Now get another strip, and place it halfway through the loop you just made. Glue the end of the second strip and form a second loop. Now just keep repeating until you have a lovely long chain. Or until you just get fed up. Whichever happens first.