Come back pesky children with your toilet roll fairies and snowmen made of sticky cotton wool--all is forgiven!

All those homemade Christmas decorations, abandoned or at least hidden at the back of the tree as we followed the craze for style over charm can now be reinstated.

Salvage them now and let them take pride of place because a passion for all things traditional is back in vogue this Christmas.

"Nostalgia's a big theme this year with decorations made from classic materials such as felt and wood, many of which are embroidered and in red and white," says Christine Kasoulis, decorations expert at John Lewis. "This effect has a homely, warm feel and harks back to the more simple, homespun Christmasses of bygone years with great affection."

Tradition in your home may dictate that your tree has to be real -- no matter how many needles coat the carpet --but this year dazzling artificial alternatives come in virtually every colour of the rainbow.

Bronze has overtaken last year's black trees, but blue, frosty white or girly pink are also fashionable.

Two new developments are also making Christmas decorating easier. Pre-lit trees eliminate the battle with last season's faulty fairy lights, and the cheap but gorgeous baubles now offered by high stores such as Woolworths, Sainsbury's, and Asda mean you don't have to spend a packet.

There's no need to restrict ornaments to the tree either. Hang them

individually on ribbon to decorate doors or windows, or fill a glass bowl with baubles for a festive table.

"For a traditional Christmas, the nostalgic look will always be a favourite," Christine says. "Natural wooden and homemade decorations are vital to the look, with red being a prominent colour."

It's not necessary to overspend because little details from hand-tied ribbon bows, old costume jewellery to children's lovingly-made decorations can make this tree special.

The elegant look is for those who dress their trees as carefully as themselves, combining colour co-ordination and designer standard decorations. Black or blue trees provide a stunning contrast for glittering baubles, but stick to a two colour decoration theme for best effect. Get the blues with a midnight blue tree, £25 from Marks & Spencer. Decorate it with aqua and blue baubles.

Or you could choose the opulent look.

Christine says: "This look is perfect for those who enjoy a lavish and luxurious Christmas. A green tree works well decorated with rich, jewelcoloured decorations in gold, teal or purple for a truly decadent finish."

Splash out out on a pre-lit tree then use clear glass or silver baubles for a rich look on the cheap.