My First Christmas Tree

This may seem odd but I have never actually owned a Christmas tree before this year or had one in my house over the holiday period as I rarely have people over – it’s just been easier for me to visit everyone else.

This year though I wanted to bring Christmas home, and also bring the homemade into Christmas.

I therefore set about tracking down a good quality tree that I thought would fit the bill (and last me a few years to boot).

Much web searching and comparing brought me to Balsam Hill. I hadn’t heard of this company so I did a good amount of reading and browsing of their website (and did a google search to check other user’s comments) and satisfied myself that I was going to get value for money as well as a good looking tree that would suit my needs for years to come.

I really liked the look of their European style trees and thought that the pre-lit version would also help me avoid the Christmas light tangle that I have seen other people get so worked up over.

My choice, the Norway Spruce (which was on sale – ever the bargain finder), went in and less than a week later it arrived!

I’m not sure about this, but I do think that I got a little more excited about opening this box than I do just before opening Christmas gifts.

Popping my giddy inner-self to one side I opened the box.

The first thing that I could see was that it had been well packed. On further investigation I found that there were comprehensive instructions, gloves to protect my delicate hands (don’t laugh) during construction and also a bag of spare bulbs and other bits and bobs.

They even sent a free body bag for when those Christmas disagreements go a little to far.

Joke! It turned out to be a comfy sleeping bag for the tree to snuggle down in between Christmases. A really nice touch I thought. I didn’t recall reading about this bonus on the Balsam Hill website so that was a nice surprise.

Anyway, onwards and upwards.

Assembly steps were quite easy. The instructions explained it all well in simple English (good thing for me).

The tree that I chose came in four sections; the base and three tree parts (no partridge, which was understandable as this was not a pear tree).

Each part was handily numbered.

It was simply a case of starting at the bottom, inserting the sections and “fluffing” as you go.

Even the pre-installed lights were set in place and simply needed connecting together.

Here’s a before and after of not-fluffed and fluffed for the base and first section.

It’s a bit like my moustache before I go to bed and then when I wake up, lol!

Anyway, I carried on adding and fluffing until … paff, done!

*puts on sunglasses*

I didn’t actually realise how generous Balsam Hill were with the pre-installed lights! Even in the day (with a south facing window) the tree gave a lovely Christmassy glow – *happy sigh*

I honestly didn’t think that I would ever have a tree in my home as it has in the past seemed like a bit of a waste of time/space but I am so pleased that I have gone for it and now that I have it, I am over the moon and even thinking of inviting some people over too (get me being all sociable and stuff, lol)!

Anyway, I think that I still have a little more fluffing to do before the job is completely done however it’s time for a cuppa first. I’d also better get crafting as I’ve got a lot of tree to decorate!

I’m aiming for 100% handmade (however time is getting short) so I think I may end up with ‘mostly’ handmade, lol! – I’m hoping (time permitting) to be blogging about these various things like handmade gifts and handmade decs in the run up to Christmas.

What about you? Be honest, how long have you had your tree up? Have you handmade your decs and cards? I bet there’ll be some of us still at it on Christmas Eve ;)

Anyway, that’s it for this one. No making (apart from the tree) but there is much to come :)

Thank you for visiting and I hope you can stop by again for the next post.

J :)