Our Christmas tree decoration collection (well, a small selection from it)

Anyone who knows me and has been to our house will tell you that I Am Not A Hoarder. The opposite, in fact. I am a minimalist to the point where someone once asked me if we’d been burgled. The only space clutter gathers is No 1 Son’s bedroom. Everything else is pretty much hidden from view and if you open most of the cupboards you’ll find them bare (apart from my beauty products, obvs *cough*).

But our Christmas tree decorations, many of them bought on our travels, means that they need a whole cupboard to themselves. They’re a cool alternative to souvenirs and each has its own memories. As we’ll be putting them up in a few weeks I thought I’d share with you a few of my favourites. Enjoy.

I bought this wonderful handmade bauble in Toronto last November and it’s called ‘Mother Winter’.

The Swarovski crystal wreath came from Cologne. It looks really beautiful with the Christmas tree lights sparkling behind it.

This pearl angel is handmade and I bought it from an art gallery in Mississippi. It’s quite weird but I’ve grown attached to it.

We got this little pine cone figure (above) when we went to see Santa in Lapland.

We bought the handmade glass Christmas tree (left) in Bellagio on Lake Como.

This Tinkerbell fairy (above), which goes on the top of the tree, was bought in Disneyland Paris and her wings change colour thanks to a very clever little switch underneath. So kitsch it hurts.

And speaking of kitsch, I give you my beloved Cath Kidston baubles. Admittedly they didn’t travel much further than Wimbledon, but they look practically vintage, like they were made in the Fifties. I big fluffy heart them.