Ali's singing teacher fills her house with Christmas trees from early November. She has 2 bay windows and a tree twinkles in each, to herald the festive season.

My little ones are asking every five or so minutes when ours is going up; they already have a pink one in their room. I am, at the moment, feeling a need to surround myself with calm, and the frenzy of a child-centred tree is not part of my plan. Tasteful, serene cream and gold is what I plan for the living room.

Though they were left behind at a previous home, I can still remember the magic of the Christmas decorations I found at Harrods,where I purchased wooden santas that adorned my trees for years. And when I was small, I was very attached to my grand-parents set of baubles and concertinas of tissue paper. Every year they came out, a little more faded but, in my eyes, perfect!

One year, inspired by my time at Laura Ashley, I covered my tree with candle lights, tartan bows and little muslin bags full of nuts.

I also have fond memories of my own home-made baubles and bows, generalyy inspired by Blue Peter or a school creation: santa face mobiles, cardboard stockings and robins covered in scrunched-up tissue!

Like no other time of year, the Christmases stand out, punctuating a lifetime in a way no other season seems able to. I know that last year there was something of a furore at the attempts to make it pc by calling it a festival of light but, to me, it is.

To me, it is the festival of the Christ Light's return, that being the Unconditional love of God for all things, all people, all colours, all religions.

I think, today, I shall test my bulbs; whatever the light, it can't shine out if the bulbs are defective!