Talking Property

ISABEL MORTONlooks at the idea of employing Christmas angels

LAST weekend, as I pulled out boxes of Christmas decorations in preparation for the marathon job over the weeks ahead (I don’t want to panic you, but you have just over seven weeks to get your act together), it dawned on me that it was often the small, trivial and apparently irrelevant little things like the nations’ attitude to Christmas decorations, which tells us a lot about our current mindset.

When Ireland was at the height of the boom, our Christmas decorations became fashion items, to be changed on a whim, depending on our décor, mood or the desire to outdo our neighbours.

Then, in the early days of the bust, decorating for Christmas appeared somewhat inappropriate. And, as the recession continued, there was a lot of “making do” and “making the best of things”, as somehow we presumed that it couldn’t possibly go on forever and, meanwhile, we would survive with what we’d got.

But now, we are doing all we can to keep the home fires burning (for however long we still have homes) because putting time, effort and thought into decorating for the yuletide celebration now falls under the category of “home-making”, a concept which has recently been resurrected and is once again regarded as a worthwhile occupation.

It’s all about keeping a stiff upper lip and ignoring the fact that, while all about you is crumbling, you can seek refuge in the bosom of your family and celebrate the fact that, for now at least, the bombs have not yet landed on your roof.

But, like wartime, the recession is taking its toll: if Daddy is suffering from shell-shock and depression and Mummy is working long hours in the ammunitions factory; creating Christmas cheer in the home is unlikely to happen without a little outside help.

An acquaintance, whose mother is seriously ill and whose husband is unemployed and not dealing well with his situation, is working long hours to keep the ship afloat and reported that she has decided to buy-in Christmas as she will be unable to devote any time to creating Christmas for her young children.

Fascinated by the concept of being able to purchase your family Christmas, I had to know more. Simple really: she has hired someone to decorate her home (using some of her favourite family decorations), create a special table setting for the big day, do the shopping (both food and presents) and order prepared meals.

As it turned out, I eventually found out that I knew the “Christmas Angel” (as she referred to him): James Bailie, a floral designer, who specialises in smart weddings but also decorates restaurants, hotels and family homes for special occasions.

Was it possible, that what sounds like a boom-time luxury personal service, could have a market in these recessionary times?

Bailie explained that it all rather depended on what level of service was required and that most people hired his Christmas decoration skills in much the same way as they would hire any florist. But sometimes he ended up being employed to do considerably more.

“Christmas is an important family occasion and not everyone has the time or the talent to create a magical atmosphere in their home. I just work to the client’s budget and, while some have relatively little to spend, others have considerably more. Either way, they will be getting great value for money and their homes will look and feel seasonal and special,” said Bailie.

But he was far more interested in talking about the fundraising project for the new children’s hospice, LauraLynn House, Children’s Sunshine Home in Leopardstown, which is holding a Christmas evening on Friday November 18th at 7pm in Christ Church Hall on Sandymount Green, Dublin 4.

On the night, the 88 Food Company will demonstrate how to make Christmas canapés (which you can then enjoy, along with some mulled wine) and Bailie will show guests how to create a Christmas garland, mantelpiece arrangement, door swag and table centrepiece (tickets €10, call Bailie on 086-8519745. All proceeds to LauraLynn House).

Later, when recounting the story of the Christmas Angel to friends, all agreed that the fundraising Christmas demonstrations would make a great night out.

On the subject of buying in Christmas however, opinions differed and the subject sparked a heated debate.

One dismissed the idea and said that it was just giving in to the pressure put on people to make Christmas a fairytale family experience, when in reality, it was often the worst time of the year.

Another believed it was a great idea, to inject magic into our lives at a time when we need it most.

Once again, within seconds, the conversation was no longer about decoration, but about deprivation.

Isabel Morton is a property consultant