Putting up the Christmas tree is as much about the evening around it as the decorations themselves. For Vlogmas day 8, the plan is simple: stay at home, bring out the festive decorations and enjoy some cheese while the living room gradually turns Christmassy.
Originally published on 8 December 2015, this Roberts London video follows the whole relaxed process. There is a Santa hat, a tree waiting to be dressed, a table that steadily fills with food and drinks, and a less-than-serious finale involving a string of lights.
Watch the Christmas-tree decorating evening
From a bare tree to a festive living room
The video opens with the tree still largely undecorated. It sits behind the coffee table, with the sofa nearby and a fireplace video playing on the television. Before any serious decorating begins, the room already has the makings of a comfortable December night in.
The finished tree is a cheerful mix of lights, red decorations and shiny strands. Getting there is a gradual affair, with plenty of pauses to show things to the camera and enjoy the evening along the way.
Small decorations with plenty of character
One of the pleasures of unpacking the decorations is looking closely at the individual pieces. A small Santa figure gets its own moment in front of the camera, complete with a red outfit and sack. The decorating is personal and playful, rather than a carefully matched display.
As the evening goes on, festive details spread beyond the tree. Decorations and lights along the back of the room help make the whole space feel ready for Christmas, rather than leaving all the colour in one corner.
A very cheesy Christmas evening
The cheese in the original video title is quite literal. A round cheese in its box is introduced to the camera, and food becomes a recurring part of the preparations. Decorating the tree shares the evening with putting things on the table and stopping to eat.
Boxes, jars and other bits for the evening gather on the coffee table in front of the tree. It is an informal arrangement, with everything close at hand while we move between the decorations, the camera and the sofa.
Drinks and decorating together
A bottle is opened and drinks are poured into stemmed glasses. Then the decorating becomes a shared task, with both of us moving around the tree, unpacking pieces and deciding where they should go.
The room slowly changes as more decorations go up. The appeal of the video is in watching that ordinary seasonal ritual unfold: a little work on the tree, a pause for food, then another decoration or string of lights.
Switching on the Christmas lights
With the room lighting lowered, the tree and surrounding decorations take on a warmer glow. The final moments bring a playful twist as I wear a string of illuminated stars, turning the lights into part of the performance as well as the room.
It is a fitting finish to an evening that never takes itself too seriously. The tree is decorated, the living room feels festive and Christmas has properly arrived at home.
Archive video: 8 December 2015. This article records that decorating evening. All photographs are original stills from the Roberts London video.
