I usually put up the decorations on the Saturday before Christmas which is usually the day after we break up but always in time for Solstice. (Not this year though, we break up on 22nd Dec.) I decorate with real holly, ivy, mistletoe and greenery from the garden or local woods. My tree is always real and is decorated with my huge collection of 'christmas' decorations from all over the world. Friends and family bring me something for my tree from wherever they visit just as long as it is obviously from that country, a piece of zulu beadwork, a koala bear, a turkish eye. It's like putting friends into my house and having them there all over the festive season. They come down after Old Christmas Day, remembering how we had our 11 days 'stolen', a few years ago, well a few hundred years ago actually ... So, if any Catters would like to be part of my mid - winter celebrations, I'll gratefully receive additions to my collection. pm for address.