The Breeding of Lists
The Breeding of Lists
Sliding bravely through and past stacked cardboard boxes, I eventually spy the top of Sally’s head in the gift shop stock room . “I have had a Eureka moment” I declaim – “I have the Christmas theme for 2029! I have coffee too”. Understandably Sally groans and fails, just at this moment, to share my enthusiasm.
Sally has a whole series of thumbed and tabbed Christmas notebooks. The past ones record and remind her what was installed and where on previous years whilst this year's version is full of lists, rough diagrams and scribbled post it notes. Last year was a Victorian theme, the year before followed the story of the Three Kings, we were very medieval one year and the 1920’s and art deco inspired another. This last week she has just begun to glimmer with glitter as she dives into various sheds to confirm her plans.
From Highclere’s point of view, the key to life is to plan ahead, to reflect, then prepare and carry out the plan so that each day can be best enjoyed as there is theoretically less firefighting. To quote, Seneca : “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”
We set up and undertake all Highclere's Christmas decorations ourselves. Emmeline and the garden team help set in place the external trees which are, in turn, collected by the farm, whilst everyone in both the castle office and estate office, as well as a number of the guides help tie all the baubles on to each branch of the trees. Luis’s team are good at clambering up ladders to sort lights out and on every surface, especially outside, are mince pies and boxes of celebrations.
Whilst all these tasks are underway, Sally and the gift shop team assemble the inside mantle shelf and floral displays all of which were created last January and February before being carefully wrapped and stored. It is rather exciting as once more it begins to build a story, the colours, the brightness and actually the wow factor!
The whole process is about team building and it is always interesting to see how we all come together to build towards opening for Christmas. Highclere has a unique collection of characters, many of whom, in my view, could have been on stage and I always hope that the structure here allows people to flourish and be themselves whilst carrying on the everyday tasks at hand.
Thankfully, Christmas does arrive just once a year so by the time we become Christmas elves again in November, we have forgotten some of the challenges of the previous year and return happily to picnicking every day on too many chocolates and panettone for the time we take to set up. I always allow a couple of extra days for when things go wrong.
One year I failed to quite grasp the size of the main tree and thought a few more feet would be fine – it was really not fine and we had to start all over again. John G the Castle Manager was hardly lucid by the end of the saga ..it is etched in my memory.
Might you be able to guess what our theme for Christmas is this year? 🎄
20 Comments
Oh, how lovely! I put up my Christmas decorations at the end of November and leave them up until February 2 of the following year.
This is my favorite time of the year! I agree that planning is key in anything we do.
When in November do you start the decorating and how long does it usually take from start to finish? And when do you take them down?
Thank you for sharing this.
I could not begin to guess what the theme might be for this year, but I'm sure it will be stunning and joyful!
It will be ..
It will be ..
Oh how I'd love to visit Highclere over Christmas time! My guess for this year's theme is an Alpine Swiss twist with snow and sparkles
I love the feeling of 'family' you portray in your article regarding leading up to the Christmas Holy Season!
Be blessed.
I had the wonderful opportunity of visiting Highclere Castle in June as part of a small tour. I must say it was the highlight of my trip to London. (I am from America. )From the moment we walked up the gravel pathway, till the time returned to our tour bus, I was absolutely enthralled by the whole estate. We were treated so nicely. We had a wonderful guide; and we had a tea afterwards, which was a bonus. And I loved the gift shop! I thought it was one of the best gift shops of all of those I had been in when we stayed in London — so kudos to whoever buys for the gift shop. I so wish I could see Highclere at Christmas — it’s on my bucket list, though it probably will never happen. I can’t wait until Highclere is totally decorated, and I hope you will share a lot of pictures.
My friend and I were fortunate enough to attend the Christmas tea at Highclere last Christmas and have a lovely chat with Luis. It was a magical day and well worth the trip from Canada via London! Thank you so much for all the effort you and your dedicated staff put into decorating the castle for the holiday season.
Thank you
My dearest Lady Fiona,
Good Day from Brazil,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMORROW
FOR YOU ...
Lovely words.
I AM DELIGHT FOR CHIRSTMAS TIME.
Theme : LA NEIGE ,WHITE CHIRSTMAS
CHEERS.
2029?? Wow, ya'll look WAY ahead!! ;-)
How I wish I could visit Highclere and the gift shop - I will do so in my dreams . Always enjoy your posts. ❤️
Oh how I'd love to be a part of the teams that help decorate a place like Highclere. I won't venture a guess what this year's theme will be but I can't wait to see what you all have in store for your lovely home.
Could it be something to do with Scrooge
Not this year...
The thought of planning already for Xmas makes me happy! My guess for the theme is "Oh, Christmas Tree!".
Val in California
No, I wouldn't even know where to start about guessing this year's Christmas theme .... BUT ... I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO FIND OUT!!! I love your posts, Lady Carnarvon, They certainly brighten my day.
I'm hoping for a Nutcracker Christmas.
This year's theme?
Trees? 😃🌲
How exciting to read
Must be wonderful to see the beautiful decorations and trees
Thank you
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Lovely the pictures of the breeding of list and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of Downton Abbey and highcelere castle