Spotlight on... The joy of a chaotic Christmas tree

Good festive baubles aren't cheap. And I'm in awe of my friend who, sensibly, has been treating herself annually to one good Christmas tree decorations for at least a decade. 

The habit has caught on, and friends now buy her additions, too. This is the colourful, shamelessly clashing and gloriously chaotic result (and proof that a good bauble can be a brilliant gift).

 

She now has an enviable Christmas tree, full of intriguing oddities hanging from its branches – from Mexican Day of the Dead trinkets to neon perspex from Paperchase (she says she's currently very fond of her papier-mâché cows, as well as a string of felt gingerbread men, which you can see here... I'm well jel).

Of course this is no good if you like a colour co-ordinated, so-called tasteful display (and if you saw my Run DMC tree topper a couple of years back, you'll know I don't). But if mix not match appeals, and you're just starting out with an eclectic tree, that first lone bauble seems like a mean and pointless purchase that will be lost in a sea of bare piney branches (or, in my case, branches full of decorations I have acquired directionlessly over the years, but don't really like).

But with interesting decorations costing up to £15 or even £20+ a-piece, one at a time might be the only way to go. With that in mind, I loitered around several different shop bauble displays in my lunch hour yesterday, yet still found it impossible to break in and get that first one. I should have been in West Elm...

I fell for and snapped these strange, papier-mâché creatures when I popped in for a press preview a few weeks ago. Should have snapped them up at the time, but now – even better – they're down from £14 to £11.

I like how West Elm supports up and coming designer-makers and these are created by LA-based artist and Etsy shop owner, Kim Baise aka Jikits. Fair Trade is also one of West Elm's priorities and these baubles, made from recycled materials, were manufactured by Caribbean Craft in Port-au-Prince. AND it's a rollerskating flamingo...

And here's the rainbow tiger in the same range...

Here's the full collection, you can find them all (if you're quick) at West Elm. You can also check out the JiKits Etsy shop.

I quite like their smug kitty, too...

What have you hung on your tree this year?