A small potted Christmas tree and a festive turkey sandwich mark the start of decorating season in this Roberts London archive vlog. Published on 2 December 2015, Vlogmas day two follows an evening trip to Sainsbury’s and the arrival of the first tree at home.
The room is still looking plain, so Barry decides that a real evergreen is a good place to begin. It is a modest purchase, but it gives the rest of the Christmas preparations something to build around.
A Sainsbury’s Turkey Feast sandwich
Before heading out for the tree, Barry sits down with a Turkey Feast sandwich bought on the way home from work. He introduces it as his first turkey of the festive season.
Reading from the packaging, he describes a filling that includes British turkey, chestnut-and-thyme stuffing, mayonnaise, lettuce, cranberry-and-apple chutney and maple-cured British bacon. The sandwich brings a few familiar Christmas flavours into an ordinary evening meal.
The first festive tasting
The verdict is positive. Barry picks out the cranberry-and-apple chutney, enjoys the bacon and finds the turkey moist rather than dry. The thyme is less obvious to him.
It is a quick tasting before the main errand: returning to the supermarket for one of the little trees he noticed earlier. The food and shopping together make this an everyday December episode from the 2015 series.
An evening trip to Sainsbury’s
Outside, it is already dark. The illuminated supermarket sign introduces the shopping sequence, followed by a look at the seasonal plants and wrapped trees inside.
Barry makes clear that this is not a sponsored visit and that he is paying for the tree himself. He heads to the plant display, where the small potted trees are priced at £10 during this 2015 visit.
Choosing a compact potted Christmas tree
The trees are gathered together in their protective netting. Barry tries to pick one of the taller examples, although all are compact enough to carry home.
The appeal is simple: a living tree in a pot offers an immediate start to the decorations. After choosing one, he takes it through the self-service checkout and sets off home with it.
Bringing the tree home
Back in the living room, the tree goes onto the coffee table. Before removing the wrapping, Barry fetches scissors and a bowl to sit beneath the pot.
He reads the supplied label aloud, including its advice about positioning, watering and looking after the tree beyond Christmas. The scene captures the practical first steps of bringing a potted tree indoors.
Taking off the netting
With the bowl underneath, Barry cuts away the netting and lets the branches spread. The small evergreen begins to look more like a Christmas tree once it is free of its wrapping.
There are no baubles or lights on it yet. Those are still to come, with decoration shopping and dressing the tree left for later episodes.
A small beginning to Christmas
Barry places the tree on the floor beside the television and considers its size against the room. It is certainly compact, and he wonders whether he may need a bigger one.
For now, it is a start: one little tree in an undecorated room, with the rest of December still ahead. The episode closes by inviting viewers to say what they think of the new arrival.
Watch the Christmas tree shopping vlog
Archive note: this film was originally published on 2 December 2015. The £10 price and seasonal food described here relate to that visit.
