THE festive season is finally in full swing and many people up and down the U.K. have already begun decking the halls and spreading Christmas cheer all over their homes. But, there are few people who are as committed as one Christmas-mad mom, who turns her entire home into a Santa’s grotto, by covering every single wall in festive wrapping paper. Carly Lockie started the unusual tradition two years ago, when she grew tired of the beige walls in her three-bedroom Bristol home, so she decided to go for the full Christmas transformation, on a budget. She enlists the help of her partner Mike Phillips, as well as her kids, 15-year-old Mayah, Harmonie, 10, 5-year-old Junior, and stepdaughter Kayleigh, 18, to hang the paper in every room in the house — including all the doors and even the kitchen cupboards. Lockie said: “We do the whole house and it takes a long time. We start the first week of November and finish in the first week of December. It’s like Santa’s grotto. “I just love Christmas and so does Mike. He’s just as barmy as me so we’re on the same wave length. “Everyone I know loves it but they also think I’m batty. I’ve got a few bah humbugs in my family so they think I’m crazy. “The younger kids love it and they bring their friends round to have a look. Mayah pretends not to because she doesn’t want to ruin her street cred but she wants her room done too.” The 36-year-old covers her entire home using 20 rolls of wrapping paper, which cost just 50 pence (US$0.7) each, meaning her whole house is completely transformed for a modest 10 pounds (US$13). “It’s great because when I take it down, it feels like we’ve just redecorated it again. The wrapping paper stays up until the 2nd or 3rd of January and it doesn’t take it too long.” (SD-Agencies) | 