Favourite five: Christmas decorations

After being slightly startled by the sheer number of Christmas trees clogging up Canary Wharf yesterday, I've decided to stop resisting the start of the Christmas season. That's right, it's all started: annoying commercials that put their company straplines into carols even though they have too many syllables, the smell of mince pies being pumped into your nostrils from every available vent and goodwill to all men, women and (the well-behaved) children. Christmas has a funny effect on me. By the time I hear "All I want for Christmas" played for the third time, I have an overwhelming desire to stick a bobble hat on and bounce about throwing holly and baubles on everything and everyone in sight. Yes, I confess, I love mistletoe, the tree decorating, the present buying, wrapping and giving, the annual arguments with the sister about the best way to cook the bird...it's a magical time of year. So with that in mind, I've been trying to decide which ornaments to add to my decoration collection - here are my five favourites so far:

Classic choice: Fabergé eggs
Can't afford a real Fabergé egg? Fear not, Plumo have got glass baubles that look very similar to the real thing. £20 for an assorted set of two.


Cute choice: Metal Bell Owl
I've got a bit of a thing about owls. So this one will definitely be perched on my tree this Christmas. He's £3 from John Lewis.


Modern choice: Wooden hearts
Simple and silver, these budget-friendly hearts are just £2 each from Coasting Along.


Quirky choice: Reindeer bauble
Doesn't everyone want the distorted face of a curious reindeer peering out at them from between the branches of the tree? This is fine bone china, one of the oddest baubles I've ever seen and can be yours for just £14.95 from Roost Living.


Crafted choice: Heart decorations
Edible decorations never last more than a couple of hours on my tree. The solution? These heart decorations, hand crafted from clay to look like gingerbread with a "jam" glaze. I'll know if they look realistic enough if my sister is wearing an injured look, rather then her customary furtive and chocolate-smeared one on Christmas eve. At $12 for five, they're excellent value for money too.