Hellooooooooooo!!

[FrancyFra]

Hi everyone,
I'm Francesca. I'm an italian girl.I always lived here.
I'm 22 years old, I have a son,and I'm very happy.
I have never been in the UK, but I'd like to go there.
I hope that my English is acceptable!!!!(I've studied English for 3 years, and I think it is not enough)
I've already bought many Christmas decorations for my house.
I've plenty of ideas...too much!!
How do you prepare your decorations?
I would like to create a warm and elegant atmosphere !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please, help me.

[juliancoll]

Ciao Francesca, vi voglio dare il benvenuto caloroso nel nostro forum.

Here in the UK, we have many different styles and types of Christmas decorations - from 'home made' decorations where the style is very colourful and haphazard and all the kids get involved in making the decorations together from different coloured papers, glitter and tinsel - all the way to extremely chic 'designer' schemes that follow the latest fashion.

This year the trend is black, white and silver or cream, brown and gold. I don't like this 'trendy' style at all, I prefer a mixture of everything, picking out the best of all the old decorations that I've kept from many previous years and adding a few new ones. Some of my decorations are more than 50 years old and they are my favourite ones!

[Sally Donaldson]

A very warm welcome FrancyFra. Whereabouts in Italy are you from???

[Gala Placidia]

Hi FrancyFra and welcome! We hope to hear more from you. As for Christmas decorations I also treasure my old ones and prefer the more traditional style. And don't forget the "presepio"!

[FrancyFra]

I'm from sicily...Do you like it?

[Nielo]

Welcome Francesca, your English is very good.

In England some people decorate the outsides of their houses with lots of coloured lights and scenes of the nativity or snowmen and Father Christmas.

Some people put on such a show that they put collection boxes outside and collect money for charity. People who enjoy seeing the lights and decorations make a donation and sometimes this can add up to a lot of money for charity.

I know of one very small village where someone puts up such a fantastic display that it causes traffic to stop and people come from miles around to see it.

I know that in Italy most villages have decorations and lights but I have never seen the same big individual displays like the ones in England.

Inside the house, it usual to have a Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel, coloured baubles and lights. People also decorate their fireplace mantle piece with greenery from outside, like holly and ivy and some people put a festive wreath on their front doors.

My favourite decoration is to have candles burning in the widows.

What are the typical decorations in Sicily?

[juliancoll]

How cruel you are Nielo - those poor widows - do they glow in the dark?

Sorry Francesca, it was a little joke towards Nielo - whereabouts in Sicily do you live? Tell us more about your area and the Christmas traditions there.

[Nielo]

hahaha, woops, one of my best ones yet!

[Sally Donaldson]

Originally Posted by FrancyFra

I'm from sicily...Do you like it?

No alas. One of the places in Italy that I yearn to visit. One day.

[Sally Donaldson]

"Inside the house, it usual to have a Christmas tree, decorated with tinsel, coloured baubles and lights. People also decorate their fireplace mantle piece with greenery from outside, like holly and ivy and some people put a festive wreath on their front doors"

Very passe Nielo. Have a look at IKEA (website) for a start!!!