We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas. And with a huge range of delicious food cramming the shelves it can be difficult to know what to buy.
18.11.2023 - 14:21 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Meet Janine Ralph - a mum who has turned her love for interior design into a festive side job. Janine charges £40 to decorate a Christmas tree.
She's been so popular that she started taking bookings in July. "I've always loved interior design and decorating my own house," she said. "All my friends said I should do it as a service - and I've never looked back.
"I thought I'd give it a go again this year because I really enjoy it. When I announced my books were open back in July, loads of people booked in straight away."
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Janine, from Bristol, has been busy decorating Christmas trees for weeks. She said: "It's half way through November and I'm fully booked up." Prices start at £40 for a standard-sized tree. Janine charges more if she has to put the tree up and sort the lights.
She hasn't had any formal training, but thanks to inspiration online and her creative eye, her customers are more than happy. Janine either uses the clients' own decorations or charges extra to buy them.
With 27 bookings starting in early November, she's expected to earn around £1,500, surpassing her original goal of £1,000. Janine hopes to reach £2,000 this year, which she says will cover the cost of her family's Christmas.
"The extra cash will help out loads," she added. "It will cover the cost of Christmas this year. I love doing it as well - I get a little kick out of it when people compliment my work.
"I'm very fussy - if I don't think it looks right, I'll move things around. Every tree I do needs to look perfect. I've already got people asking when I open my books
We really are spoilt for choice when it comes to Christmas. And with a huge range of delicious food cramming the shelves it can be difficult to know what to buy.
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