Written by Catherine Seagrave

December is upon us and Christmas is just around the corner - gulp!! Which can only mean one thing - it’s time to put up the Christmas decorations! 

There is something very special about the ritual of getting the Christmas decorations down from the roof each year. There’s some magic in those dusty boxes and tattered bits of tissue paper that links us to the past, of childhood Christmases, and the excitement of traditions. Carefully wrapped up in those boxes I have two glass baubles that my Mum bought when she was first married over 50 years ago, still with the same cotton loops she hand tied to hang them from the tree. Then there are the decorations my children have made over the years using bits of pasta and toilet rolls, liberally doused in glitter. All are special and have their place (albeit towards the back of the tree!!).

But as well as looking back, Christmas is also about the anticipation of what is to come. Every year we go out and each choose a new decoration to mark the year. These aren’t always the most tasteful (my children tend to favour the large and brightly coloured novelty decorations - Santa playing Twister and riding a Harley Davidson), and they definitely don’t follow a theme! But that’s part of the fun of a family Christmas.

If you’re looking to add to your decorations this year, we’ve rounded up 10 of the best in the shops right now. And some of them are so stylish you could keep them out all year!