An Unusual Christmas Tree

The Mr and I should have been holidaying in Madeira over Christmas but due to a family illness we are now going in February. I didn't much feel like buying our usual huge fresh tree and bedecking the house, although I have to say this is the first Christmas I have been looking forward to for a wee while now. I opted for a small 'Birch tree effect' twig instead. Of course I found it impossible to find something approximating what I had in mind that wasn't made of the dreaded plastic. So I cut an old Lilac branch off a bush in our garden, trimmed it and left it to dry for a week or so. I then wrapped it in white florist tape and glued it to a wooden base. I have decorated it with small glass baubles and not much else, apart from a small wooden hand carved angel I found in my favourite charity shop. I'm quite pleased with it. It's big enough to look festive and pretty. I have now put a few small presents around the base. I think less is definitely more in this instance.

I'm off now to watch Albert Finney in Scrooge on Channel 5 and I may possibly have a small piece of Christmas cake. My friend Amanda made us a superb cake for Christmas, she is a very kind hearted friend and much valued.

Maggie of Black Country Wench blog has 'won' the giveaway. I'll wait for her details and send the book and brooch off to her.