Oh Christmas Tree...

This Christmas is our first without a real tree. I've always loved the smell of the pine trees but in the last year, both Patrick and my hay fever and allergies have become worse, so it's not worth it. Last year, I had sore itchy eyes the whole time the tree was up! It took us ages to find a tree as it seems most people have the same idea this year and are going from real to "not-so-real". Pretty much everyone had sold out except for Design Inn, where they had BEAUTIFUL trees a little out of our price range. Yesterday I went back to Kmart after hearing that they have had lovely trees in the past, and they had more in - and what's more - they were 20% off, so half the price of the one we'd liked at Design Inn! I really like the tree as it's about as "real" looking as a "not-so-real" tree can look - and it doesn't shed! Now, I'm just off to the servo to get some of that "Pine fresh" spray (or NOT!) Every year since they were born, we have tried to get the kids a Russ Christmas ornament. They both got Russ teddies from their Nanna and Pa when they were born, so we've tried to keep the tradition going, and hope they will have a good quality set of ornaments when they leave home.

This year Lauren's is a reindeer

Paddy's is the elf

We have the Kiwi ornament - Buzzy Bee,

and of course, the Hawks!

Each year the company bring out different ornaments

We've only had one "dud" and that's when Shayne was responsible for going to Forever Lace and choosing! I think it may have been the year Russ Berrie died because some of the ornaments were awful including the rat on a swing that Shayne chose for Patrick! Needless to say, it goes at the back of the tree, and I now buy the ornaments each year!

And while we're on the subject of ugly, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without this little guy - "The Ghost Of Christmas Past" from when I was a kid - he has to be 30+ years old!Enjoy the last minute Christmas madness!