Kitsch Christmas decorations and a new children’s tree with John Lewis

I’m a sucker for tradition when it comes to Christmas. The tree has to go in the same place, with the same decorations, artfully arranged in a similar fashion. As much as I’ve hankered after on-trend, quirky kitsch Christmas decorations for the past two years running I’ve not had the guts to make the change. I don’t like change at Christmas, basically.

So when John Lewis asked me if I’d like to decorate a new tree full of new decorations, I’ll be honest, I shuddered a bit. But then I realised this new tree didn’t have to replace my beloved real tree full of Nordic style decorations lovingly collected over the years. No, this Christmas tree could be AS WELL AS our traditional tree. And then I got excited.

Once I’d opened my mind to a new tree the possibilities seemed endless. I’ve long admired the kitsch, slightly retro tree look and hankered after brightly coloured baubles and jazzy whimsical decorations. But as flamingos and cactus and confetti-filled glass didn’t go with my traditional scheme I stayed away. Until now.

Our new John Lewis tree is a kitsch, kid-friendly thing of colourful beauty. It lives on our upstairs landing outside the bedrooms and play room, and is a beautiful addition to the space. Not only has it added some festive excitement to a part of the house that often gets neglected at Christmas, but it’s given me a chance to flex my creative Christmas muscles and let loose without being disloyal to all my old favourites in the family bauble box.

As this is our second tree we decided to give up our strict “No Artificial Trees” policy and opted for a four foot number that we can re-use year after year. This is the first artificial tree I’ve ever owned and I was surprised at how realistic it is. OK, so you don’t get that Christmassy smell that comes with a real tree but you know what you also don’t get? Pine needles all over the landing, sticking in your feet as you pad to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Winner.

We’ve gone colour crazy, decorating in the John Lewis Lima Llama range. This range is a bright, colourful, Instagram heaven of Christmas booty from Santa on a llama decorations, cactus decorations, flamingos, pom-pom garlands and parakeets to confetti-filled baubles, disco baubles and sequin-covered things of beauty.

As this tree is for the girls as much as us, we went with a more is more approach, filling the branches with colour and beautiful dazzling baubles. I was a bit worried the tree would be too small to get away with so many decorations, but the subtle LED lights and lack of tinsel just makes the baubles shine that bit brighter. I love how it twinkles as you walk up the stairs and it’s a lovely surprise sitting there waiting to greet you on the landing – a place that is often neglected or used as a dumping ground for laundry waiting to be put away or forgotten toys.

Every morning when I get out of bed the tree makes me smile – which is no small task at 6am on a damp Monday. The girls love it too and have spent even more time playing upstairs since the tree arrived.

This tree proves that sometimes change is no bad thing, even if it is in the form of a compromise rather than a complete turn-around.

Tell me, have you put your tree up yet? What’s your favourite style of decorating at Christmas?

**

Thanks to John Lewis for working with me on this post. All products featured in this piece were gifted. For more information about how I work with brands check out my Work With Me page.