I have two tortured willow trees...(sometimes I wish I didn't since they grow fast and get all tangled up in themselves...and everything else) BUT... if I harvest some of the more interestingly 'tortured' young branches, denude them of their leaves and young bark, I have the frameworks for Christmas wreaths and other interesting decorations. The young little branches, once stripped of their outer soft bark and when dry, can be painted and decorated with glitter or whatever and stood in floor vases. This year, rather than a Christmas tree, having a large mixed pot of coloured, decorated and natural tortured willow branches...and maybe a few wreaths here and there, maybe some of the sentimental tree decos that come out every year and...since this is a cat friendly house...lots of curly ribbons hanging down from the tortured willow 'tree' with the odd fluffy little toy to intrigue. I prefer to bring nature into the house for Christmas. In pagan times at Yule...branches from Fir trees were brought inside and hung with apples and oranges Use was made of dried pine cones and home made candles were an everyday thing only some special ones were made for Yuletide...and that harks back to the cold climate countries...hence the sleigh bells and snow etc. For Australia I prefer to use our native trees and leaves for adornment also for the fragrance these waft around the house. I lovely big frondy lot of gum tree leaves all tied and arranged well and sat in a metal bucket can be a lovely natural touch more in keeping with am Aussie Christmas. Personally I think the commercialisation of tree and home decorations has become rather....'ratty-looking'..fake green pine branches, gaudy baubles etc. Well in advance we go collecting dried seed pods, pine cones and any other nature-products for Christmas decos...all natural and really beautiful!

Hello Don't be disheartened! There are a few simple steps to get on track. From what you have said, you have a clear idea of how the house needs to change. Here are a couple of things you can do to get started... Step 1 would be to obtain a set of house plans from your local Council. They will charge a fee but you can then get a copy of whatever they have on file. This can be in addition to whatever you may have from previous owner, real estate agent etc. If you don't have one or can't get one, then draw a quick one with a pen and a tape measure like this.. Then make copies and get out the pencil! Step 2 would be to do an existing home survey... that is, take a copy of one of your plans and create a power plan by drawing the location of all the power points in each room throughout the house (including behind the dishwasher, microwave etc). You can then do the lighting showing the location of each of the lights, with a dotted line to the location of each switch. You now have a power and lighting plan. This helps you think of locations of existing items and will lead to what needs to be changed. For example, if you are updating the kitchen and considering moving the oven, you need to relocate the power for it ( this becomes a cost). You can then write down a list of what needs to be done/moved in the next step. Step 3 would be to write down what I call a scope of works. This is really just a list of what you want to do in each and every room on a room by room basis. For example, Bedroom 1 'Strip and remove carpet Strip and remove light fittings Strip and remove door handles Install extra power point to... etc This will help you think through and gradually build a list of what needs to be done. Again from the above if you want new door handles, you have to go and look and choose what you want... same again for flooring, lights, paint colours, blinds/curtains etc. When you get to bathrooms, it becomes a list of tiles, how high to tile the walls, the style you like, basins/s, taps, shower, shower taps, shower screen etc Step 4 would be start refining your thoughts on paper and draw up the proposed plan. Look at problems you see with eg the kitchen and have a think about what solutions will work, and draw in pencil possible options. By now you have put together an existing property plan, an electrical and lighting plan, a scope of works and a proposed layout plan. None of this has cost you any money and now you can either take this to some professionals, come on here and get advice on layouts, style or deign ideas, go to home opens in your area or go and speak direct with a builder. By following this you will have methodically worked out what you like and don't like, gotten an understanding of what is involved and given whoever you deal with an invaluable start as to what you want! Good luck!! Cheers

I bought an engel for my husband when we got engaged, this Christmas kept frozen ice cream Christmas cake and other desserts frozen for our journey, then got plugged into the wall socket, brilliant job, a bit rusty on the outside but it is 35 years old almost to the day. Handy extra fridge or freezer whatever we need at the time at home or on the road. A marvellous buy all those years ago.. grab the bargain I say ... happy camping

i think my adult children would be surprised and disappointed without their annual supply of toilet paper, toothbrushes, laundry, kitchen and garden supplies...all carefully wrapped and name tagged as stocking stuffers or in giant boxes inside boxes overwrapped with paper salvaged from last year...one time they received a whole range of small wooden musical instruments including all the wooden clappers, bells and whistles available at the local music shop (usually cheaper and better quality than plastic toys) and this year will be frizbees and bouncing balls, small super hero models with handkerchief parachutes, monopoly money, small tubes of hand cream, toothpaste and soaps, light sticks, puzzles, playing cards, Christmas napkins and small brooches...there are so many small inexpensive fun items to choose from and it's quite easy to find dozens of useful gifts