Title: Decorating the Tree
Fandom: Sherlock Holmes (ACD)
Rating: G
Length:418 words
Summary: The tree at 221B Baker Street is decorated
Will be posted in the Sloth's Christmas Miscellany

The Christmas tree in 221B Baker Street is a wonder to behold.  Of course, Sherlock Holmes declares he cannot see the point in having one, and complains when Mrs Hudson requests he assist with carrying it up the stairs, but equally, he insists he should be the one to place the star on the top once the rest of the tree is decorated.

There are no candles on the tree, because Mrs Hudson has banned them.  Her reasoning being that Mr Holmes is quite capable of setting things on fire without any additional encouragement.

Dr Watson and the Sloth begin the decorations by hanging the tinsel, which is tied securely to the branches at strategic points.  After which the Ferret runs up and down hanging the individual decorations.  Every so often the Ferret gets distracted and falls off, but the decorations are generally caught by the attached tinsel so there is no damage done.  Do not worry about the Ferret, he rights himself and simply lands with a thud.

This year, Mouselet and Aemelia Vole have made a selection of bows from green and gold ribbon, together with a few Dress Gordon tartan bows, one of which the Ferret is currently wearing round his neck.  The rest of the ribbons have been used to decorate a number of peg dolls, which, together with several painted peg soldiers, will hang on the tree until Twelfth Night when they will be distributed to the Irregulars to take home as presents for younger brothers and sisters.

There was some discussion about hanging crystallised orange slices and candy canes on the tree, but it was generally agreed that these did not look nearly as attractive when there were bites missing from them.  The one dissenting voice was ignored, since the speaker was rather muffled having found a remnant of toffee which had stuck his teeth together.

Instead the Ocelot had collected some pine cones, which had been painted by Doctor Watson and Inspector Lestrade at the same time as the peg soldiers.  The inspector had not expected to be doing any painting, but while he was waiting for Mr Holmes, the doctor had requested his assistance, and the inspector had found the task so relaxing he had returned the following day to help Dr Watson finish it.

Once everyone was satisfied all the decorations were suitably hung, Mr Holmes was called to admire all the hard work and undertake his usual role of fixing the star at the top of the tree.