Decorating our trees and our homes for Christmas is one of the delights of the festive season. We asked our influencers about how to make Decorating Day — the day they put up the tree, unpack the baubles and string up the lights — more fun for the entire family. They also told us what makes it meaningful for them.
The chat was sponsored by HARIBO. Fun, festive and perfect for the whole family, HARIBO is offering a tasty selection of sweet gestures this Christmas. Find out more. And for hints and tips for family festive decorating crafts visit @OfficialHARIBO on Twitter @HariboUK on Facebook or @HariboUKI on Instagram.
Why should we decorate as a family?
Putting up the Christmas tree, decorating the house and stringing up lights is not only a delightful part of Christmas, it’s actually one of the highlights of the season for many families. “I prefer the decorating part to opening presents!” says @Carriecakes80.
It was nice to be able to get the snow in the background this weekend. What perfect weather for #DecoratingDay. @CharlotBurton
How do families do Decorating Day for Christmas?
We all help decorate the tree then we watch a Christmas and eat party food. @sarah12771
Got to have on a Christmas movie while decorating! Elf, Polar Express or Arthur Christmas. @Vickyddoo
We put on the Christmas tunes, order in a takeaway and tuck into some sweet treats! @mrspkmarshall
We get the old Christmas music playing, usually make a cake or some biscuits, the older kids get the decorations down, the younger ones make paper chains, at the time it goes by in a flash, but looking back it’s where the most memories of Christmas are made for me! @Carriecakes80s
We always have a takeaway after (it’s exhausting right?) and then chill with a movie and some sweets. @missielizzieb
It’s not a tree decorating day without popping out to get our HARIBO advent calendars! @CharlWildman
We made peanut butter cookies for #DecoratingDay, and our Pup Arthur definitely enjoyed the bit of snow we had in the woods, and decided to get in on the decorating action too! x @CarrieCakes80
We love creating lots of Christmas crafts!
How do you get everyone involved in Decorating Day?
It’s a family job in our home. Usually I set up the tree (pull out all the branches etc) whilst hubby puts up any ceiling decorations. Then we all decorate the tree together whilst singing and dancing to Christmas tunes. @Tantrums2Smiles
It was our first #decoratingday where Bam Bam was mobile so we are making new traditions. Weirdly it started snowing the sec we got the tree out, maybe she’s got Santa’s ear already! Bam Bam has her own tree to decorate so the family tree is safe. @Morrighani
We get the tree out and the kids decorate, but let’s be honest I have mild OCD – so when the kids put all the baubles in one spot I have to spread them out as soon as the kids go to bed. @Sophietrufshuf
I put the tree up and add the lights but we all add the decorations , my other half will put the lights around the ceiling, I’ll put lights around the windows and we’ll both put lights up outside. @Vickydoo
We have one family tree (that I’m a little more OCD about) and one “Anything Goes” tree for Lucas. We string a few lights around the bookcase/outside and that’s about it. This tree is Lucas’ and anything goes, including his school made decorations. Im just on hand to put the tree together and hang baubles on branches that he can’t reach. @angep1969
We used to take the kids to see Santa, but every year they would come out with asking santa for something they had NEVER asked for LOL! My nerves cannot take it anymore so now we go see the lights instead. @Tantrums2Smiles
We always set the table in a certain way, even if family members aren’t with us anymore, we will always set space for them. @aunty2two
We just relax and go with the flow. It’s so exciting for the children. We can always tweak the decorations later. @RedRoseMummy
Promises of going to see the deer in Woburn Deer Park to try and see which one Santa will choose as Rudolph always works. @vodkawitch88
What kind of decorations does your family have?
When we travel, we always buy ornaments from abroad as memories. The kids always love to look at them and remember where we have been. @ChelseaMamma
My husband was showing me some vintage decorations that had been handed down through 3 generations. He put his thumb right through one. It was only then- after years and years of hanging them did he realise that they were chocolate decorations. @CharlotBurton
We collect a decoration per year that means something, last year we lost my grandad so we bought a lovely decoration to remember him at such a family centred time. He was the soul of our family – gone too soon. @ReadSleepWork
Most of my decs are from the 80’s! Can’t bear to get rid of them, even though they’re getting faded, greying and falling apart (like me!). @Carriecakes80
My mother in law got me a ballerina because it reminded her of me. #DecoratingDay I put it up each year. I just love it! I have it in bubble wrap when not in use. @Kiwi7001
I have a knitted nativity set, passed down to me from my nan. It has extra sentimental value as she knitted it and I helped (age 8), she taught me to knit. Ok I only contributed one sheep (with a wonky leg lol) but it has such amazing memories for me, I love it! @Tantrums2Smiles
My nana still has the PAPER angel I made when I was 5, and still puts it on the top of the tree. I’m nearly 26. We collect one bauble a year that means something. Eg. when we moved in together, we got a key, when I graduated, a hat, and when my grandad passed, a lovely glass bauble with a robin on. This way we have sentimental decorations for years to come. @ReadSleepWork
What’s the best part of Decorating Day
We love topping our main tree with this peacock that the 7-year-old picked out a few years ago. Can’t imagine not using our Christmas peacock to top the tree now. @MetheManandtheKids
The best part is is putting the star on top of the tree and having the dogs barking. @kiwi7001
How we make HARIBO part of Decorating Day and Christmas
We put a bowl of sweets on the table and put on Christmas tunes. @kiwi7001
The HARIBO mini bags make for the PERFECT hide and seek product for a game of elfie hide and seek if you have an elf on the shelf visiting soon! @Tantrums2Smiles
Giant HARIBO would look pretty cool on my gingerbread/candy cane themed tree. @Sooz_1
We always have a little treat after and I’m loving the sound of the @OfficialHARIBO Starmix Christmas sweeties! https://haribo.com/en-gb/products/haribo/starmixmas…#ad Great flavours. @Missielizzieb
We love adding a pack of the kids favourite Haribo in their stocking every year! Haribo also make regular appearances with our elves too including a strawberry hunt, and last year they used the rings as armbands LOL! @Tantrums2Smiles
We always hide a tub of HARIBOS under the tree for Christmas eve film night. It’s become somewhat a tradition! @SophieTrufShuf
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