Oh Tannenbaum

Today

Have actually put up two Christmas trees. The first one at home is a real tree - one of those spruces that doesn't drop its needles and is quite dense. We've hung many baubles on it in many colours, some resembling sweeties in colour and shape. The clever German tree holder worked a treat (for the first time for many years we haven't had to support the tree by tying a string to the ceiling).

I've hung all the remaining metal lametta and attached bright red candles using clip on holders. And - so sorry, health & safety chaps - we actually light the candles.

The one at the flat is altogether different. As we're in a first floor flat and only occasionally visit we decided on a fake tree. Now, I've not much time for those that pretend to be spruce; instead ours is made of silvery metal branches with crystal droplets at the ends.

We've hung chaste baubles in silver, black and blue and draped white LED teeny - tiny fairy lights all over it. And Twinkle the fairy graces the top.

In My Day

Our big Victorian pile allowed us to have Christmas trees of 10 foot or more. Daddy used to turn up with the tree on some unspecified day before Christmas. I think he must have carried it home on the bus.

He would jam the tree between logs wedged into a galvanised bucket. I don't think he ever watered it. We always called the tree a "fir" and perhaps it was. The branches were always thin and well spaced out. Mamma liked this because it meant less risk from the candles.

She always bought Prices "Mini Spirettes" in multi colours. there was always some anxiety about making sure we'd get enough in time for Christmas. These were carefully placed but as the tree settled they always had to be adjusted so that they weren't hanging upside-down or too skewiff.

Then the baubles. These were saved from the previous year and more added each year. They became a time capsule of fashion in tree decoration (you can sometimes find similar baubles in fancy retro shops). They also became covered in wax as the years went by. Finally, the lametta. This was made of lead and hung like icicles from the branches. Each piece was draped string by string and it was never possible to have too much. Mamma had a huge bundle that had built up over the years.

When the candles were lit the hot air made the lametta spiral and twinkle like the very stars.

It's almost impossible to buy that lametta these days and I've almost run out - any suggestions?