Deck (or should that be Duck?) the Halls
Wow! Don’t panic but it’s December. How did that happen? This time last year I had a 2-month-old tiny baby and James had only just turned two. Now I have a ‘threenager’ and a walking talking one year old. Apart from the epic melt downs, having a three-year-old at this time of year is hugely exciting. Children’s enthusiasm for Christmas is quite literally contagious. Needless to say, we have already put up our tree. So, the madness of Black Friday is behind us so keep calm and let’s tackle decking the halls with boughs of holly and all the sparkly stuff…
We love the Gisela Graham Christmas range in our house. We stock the gorgeous glass baubles and tree decorations at Duck Barn, and the collection is so varied it has something to suit all themes. Each year we choose a few new decorations to add to our collection at home. This year, James chose the hanging peacocks and they look gorgeous on the tree - they're fun, sparkly and unusual! We have a tradition of watching a Christmas film whilst decorating the tree and this year it was Arthur Christmas in the background. We all decorated (although Noah preferred to ‘undecorate’) the tree and it was really special. We told James all about each bauble or hanging decoration and how and why we’d chosen it. I’ve added our fabulous multi-coloured mini baubles to the tree this year to add more colour. I like to consider it an eclectic but traditional mix!
Are you one to have a different coloured theme each year or do you stick with a similar style each year? Traditionally frosted whites always look stunning when mixed with gold or silver accents and I absolutely adore the peacock blue that is totally on trend. We have all these and more at Duck Barn- I have to say that the glittered dark blue fern wreath and matching garland are real favourites of mine this year: they’re like decorations out of a Narnia book and I love their beautiful sparkles.
Gisela Graham Dark Blue Glitter Fern Wreath
We have also gathered Christmas ornaments over the years and this year we have added to our collection with mini Gisela Graham snow globes, the gingerbread house and Rudolf. A tradition my husband had as a child, as we bring out one each year that his mum had when he was a boy. I’ve also got my eyes on the Santa Duckling to sit under tree as present guardian and a few of our ‘naughty’ mischievous gnomes which are always firm favourites – our ‘rehome a gnome’ mission is going well this year, but if you’re brave enough, please do consider the challenge!
The more well behaved ornaments include the reindeers – they’re just gorgeous with their silver and white or black and gold designs. A firm favourite and great Secret Santa gifts. There’s also the funky fabric tartan reindeers – perfect to welcome guest in your hallway or stood at the base of your tree.
My husband is extremely creative and, in previous years, has hand made a few of our home decorations; a wreath for our front door and a garland that we hang in our living room – both made using our old artificial tree! Whilst it’s truly satisfying making your own decorations (I did help, honest!), we don’t always have the time (or inclination!), so I can highly recommend the stunning wreaths and garlands in our range this year. They can be brought out year after year. The Gisela Graham Matt Gold Fir Leaf and Berry Cone LED Wreath - complete with its own twinkling lights and brushed gold berries, brings a fantastic traditional look and just gives that festive magical touch to any door.
In our continued bid to be eco aware, we have decided to not buy Christmas wrapping paper this year. Instead we are using brown paper and butcher’s twine and hoping to make homemade labels with the boys from air drying clay, all completed with collected foliage from our winter walks. All the brown paper can be recycled and the labels will become keepsakes to hang on the tree next year. I’ll let you know how those good intentions go!
Another favourite of mine - the evocative scents of Christmas. Gorgeous pine, orange and cinnamon. I adore our Daisy Blue Christmas range - I have Christmas Dreams, Snowflake and Fresh Pine & Lemon Leaves and they even smell divine even when they aren't lit! They come in two sizes, one in a glass and presentation box and the other in a gorgeous tin- they make such perfect gifts too. I’m also aiming to bake and dry my own orange and clove slices this year- maybe to add to the foliage on the wrapping!
Our naughty Fabric Nordic Santa Gnomes: available for rehoming now!
Before I go and leave you to browse our fabulous range of Christmas decorations, I just wanted to share that the 1st December is a special one in our calendar as it’s Small Business Saturday. This is a date that celebrates all small businesses and acts a reminder to you all to try, when you can, to shop locally or with smaller businesses. Duck Barn takes great pride in being a family business and we would like to take the opportunity to thank you for supporting us because we really do shake our tail feathers with every order we get!
Please do get in touch with pictures of your festive decorations this year! We’d love to see them!
With love,
Emily x
Emily Tumber
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