When I was a little girl my mum always helped me to make a new dress out of crepe paper, foil, tinsel and ribbon for the Christmas tree angel, it became one of our special Christmas memories. I did the same with my children when they were younger and now that they are almost adults they still enjoy decorating the tree together.

Every year since my children were born I have bought each child a Christmas tree decoration, nothing too expensive, just something attractive (and not too delicate). I use a fine tipped permanent marker to write a the year, the child’s name and a little message on the base or the back of the decoration. The message usually comments on a milestone or achievement during that year, such as starting school, being able to read, learning an instrument, or mention of a favourite pop group. I always added ‘love from mum and dad’. The children each have their own storage box for their decorations and each year as they decorate the tree they read through all the old messages. My husband died a few years ago, so the memories and the messages have become even more special. My oldest daughter is 20 now and her collection is complete, the decorations provide little ’snapshots’ of her childhood.

Each year the children helped to put up the crib that takes pride of place on the mantelpiece. One year I noticed that my son, who is a Doctor Who fan had added an extra character to the crib and now when we put up the crib we smile as we remember the year that there were three wise men and a dalek!

When they were younger the children were involved in school plays, concerts, and church activities. I captured as much as I could on video, but I also got them to sing their carols and tell the Christmas story at home so that I could make a video to send to Grandma and Grandpa. The results were lovely at the time and even more special to look back on now that they are much older. My favourite is when older daughter who was age 7 and bossy, tried to help little sister age 5 to sing the 12 Days of Christmas. Feisty little sister pauses several times to tell her big sister off, it always makes us laugh. Another favourite is my son age 4 being a shepherd in the church nativity, he had a knitted lamb to carry, but he walked on to the stage twirling his lamb by its tail!

I always encouraged the children to write to Santa and we put the letters on the mantelpiece to be transported by magic to Santa (as in Santa Claus the Movie). I always wrote replies from Santa with little pen and ink drawings around the edge. I have kept them all and they bring back lots of happy memories.

Each year late on Christmas Eve I get out my video camera to record the lounge and hall after Santa has been but before the family get up. It looks so lovely and it reminds me that the house started off looking neat tidy! The next shots are of the family opening their presents and the room looking increasingly chaotic, but I wouldn’t miss a moment of it.