‘Our four Christmas trees are already up - I started decorating in June’

A Melbourne mum’s six-month Christmas decorating schedule is so elaborate that she spends a few hours each day decorating before December. 

When Evette migrated to Australia with her family as a 13-year-old, a whole new world opened up for her.

“I came from Iran and when we moved here, there was so much more freedom to celebrate Christmas the way we wanted to,” the Melbourne mum, who has been a Christian all her life, tells Kidspot.

Now that Evette is married with her own two children, Zoe, 16, and Christian, 10, Christmas has become a major event in her family’s calendar. But not only in December - for an entire half of the year.

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Evette just loves Christmas - she decorates way ahead of December. Images: Supplied

Christmas has already begun!

Despite there being four months left until the big day, Evette has already put up three intricately detailed trees and handmade flower and ribbon garlands for her staircase.

“Decorating brings me joy,” the 48-year-old says.

“It’s a very peaceful process, and when I create something. It’s very rewarding. My son has also put up his own Christmas tree in his room. He loves decorating with me.”

In fact, Evette says she will keep working on her displays for hours every week right up until November, when she plans to put the final bauble and ribbon up on her completed masterpiece.

“I create everything myself,” she says of her countless handmade decorations.

“Because there is so much to do and it all needs to be perfect, I start in June so that I have time to change it if I want to. I like to leave December for things like making cookies with the kids and having family and friends over and enjoying the decorations. It means once Christmas Day comes, there’s no rush and I’m not tired.”

It's like a Christmas wonderland! Image: Supplied

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Why rush Christmas?

Evette used to cram her decorating in the month leading up to December 25, but would never do it again. 

“It was pointless,” she says.

“You go through all this rush and effort and you can’t sit back and enjoy it because it comes down straight after Christmas. For me, it’s the journey, not the destination. Being able to take my time is what makes it so joyful.”

Evette doesn’t take any shortcuts. The perfectionist completely changes her theme every year, and creatively finds ways to repurpose old ornaments and materials with new items she buys.

Husband, Tim, even erected a garden shed to exclusively house Evette’s indoor and outdoor decorations - all of which are colour-coded.

“He used to be a grinch,” she laughs.

“But he has embraced how much joy it brings me and the family. He helps with the outdoor decorations and he even came up with the idea of an open day last year so that all the people who wanted to come and see the displays could come together at once.”

Two of the four trees up this year. Images: Supplied

People think she's crazy

Over the years, Evette has had a few raised eyebrows from visitors who come to her home around this time wondering why it looks so festive.

“They say, ‘What the heck are you doing setting up so early?’” she quips.

“But when they came through the house and saw what I’d done all by hand, they said, ‘No wonder you have to start in June’.”

And it’s not just decorating that Evette prepares for in the middle of the year.

“I’ve already given the kids a Christmas wish list to fill in, and I’ve ordered things and put them aside,” she says.

“I’ll wrap them come the first week of December.”

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The lunch table set last year. Image: Supplied

"I know my theme for the next two years"

When Christmas Day comes and goes, however, Evette wastes no time in saying goodbye to her months of painstaking preparations.

“Once Christmas is over, I can’t wait to tear everything down and get the house back in order to go back to work,” she smiles.

“My son and I do it all together and it’s all down by New Year’s Day so we can start the year nice and fresh.”

This organised mum-of-two doesn’t even wait for that, however, before getting stuck into planning for the following year.

“I already know my theme for the next two years because I’m always that far ahead,” she says.

“That way I can buy the large quantities of things I need during sales and have everything ticked off by the time I start in June again.”

While decorating is certainly a lifelong passion she’ll never tire of, Evette says the true meaning of Christmas is always front and centre in her family’s life.

“We are very spiritual,” she says.

“Jesus’ birth is very special to us. Decorations are joyful in bringing people together, but it’s the real meaning that’s the reason we do everything.”

Originally published as ‘Our four Christmas trees are already up - I started decorating in June’