The Garlic Tree celebrates Christmas

Season's greetings! As you read this you are probably tucking into an extravagant Christmas dinner or otherwise feeling the effects of having stuffed down too much! Whatever the case, make some more room and come along to my restaurant, The Garlic Tree, where you can relax and enjoy the festive ambience and yet more tasty grub!

When you first enter there's a blinding amount of pink:

Foyer section of The Garlic Tree

There are two Pink Trees flanking the entrance, with a pair of Festival of Lights furthering the symmetry. In fact, this is also continued on the wall where I have placed the Glowing Light Box and Modern Circle Art on a Purple Pattern wallpaper. I really like these coin wall decorations and am delighted to have finally found a suitable time and place to utilise them.

The colour scheme is maintained with the Purple floor, while the Flamingos and Lotus Flowers (which are present all year round) conveniently blend in too. The only difference is that the normally Tranquil Waters have Frozen over due to the cold weather. The Flamingos look content enough though!

Even My Fair Gran-Gran is getting into the swing of things with her pink outfit and Heart Host Table. And I'm claiming that it's a spray of holly she's got pinned to her top and bracelet. But why is the darling of Restaurant Story spending Christmas overseeing the diner? I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it...

To keep some of the Christmassy atmosphere in the foyer, I've hired the Drummer Drumming and his Carolers. Singing from the Lyrics Sheet Stand, this lot will keep you entertained while you wait for a table. I decided to install the Red Carpet floor tile underneath just to give them their own space for emptying their lungs.

Once you get a table, you may proceed through to the main eating section:

Main section at The Garlic Tree

The centrepiece of this large area is the Gilded Tree, as it was last year. But this time its golden shimmer actually inspired me to build the whole zone in a way that it would match the tree. Maybe I should have changed my place's name to 'The Gilded Tree' for the holiday season! The tree is surrounded by Dotted Tiles which have lots of golden dots on them. Fortunately the Wooden Pillars and French Counters blend in well so are maintained from my usual layout, but I just had to fit the Ornament Ball counters in there too. The compromise was to have them around the two near sides, perhaps offering a clearer view of the Gilded Tree because of their transparency.

This is the first time since I introduced my four-pillar centrepiece way back in the early days that a pillar has been removed, with the near one stored so as to give a clearer view of the Gilded Tree. It took a lot of 'courage' to make the change, but I'm really pleased with the outcome!

 Christmas 2015

 16/12/15 Box update
 15/12/15 Goals content report
 09/12/15 Goals
 09/12/15 Goals update
 02/12/15 Initial update

Away from the centre, the French Wood floor keeps the golden theme going. It was such an easy choice due to the elegant pattern design which really conveys a sense of grandeur. Meanwhile the Golden Tables were a natural pick, but the accompanying Golden Chair comes at 1 gem each, making it less appealing. But I found a great alternative, with the Cozy Chair not only sharing the colour tone I was looking for, but also looking really comfy for those settling in for a huge three course meal!

The likes of the Cheese Cart, Cask and Elegant Harp have all survived the Christmas decorating, but the Grand Piano has been displaced by the Holiday Choir. A goal prize in 2012, this is one of my all-time favourite festive items. I love how two of the choir members are putting so much effort into the hymn that they've even got their eyes shut. And the 3x3 size of it is actually ideal - if it were larger it would be difficult to wedge in effectively.

Having had your fill of Christmas food, why not retire to the bar?

Family section of The Garlic Tree

Here there's a Saloon Bar and Wine Cart for all your boozy needs, while Gran's Phonograph will be playing loud and proud. After all, 'does your granny always tell ya, that the old songs are the best'! Then there's the Mistletoe Kiss which is another of my favourite Christmas decorations. The romantic ambience is only heightened by the Holiday Fireplace, Holiday Jukebox and Holiday Lights. And what would Christmas be without a Snowy Holiday Tree!

It's not just the parents enjoying the holidays, with the kids capering in the Blanket Fort. They've even got the Little Helper (Storm8's answer to Santa's Little Helper in The Simpsons!) having a good time, and are shown here getting a hilarious photo of her in a Santa hat. The smiles of the kids are no doubt partly the result of the Holiday Train, Holiday Bear and Phoebe's Bike, all of which are gifts they've received this year.

If the kids get too rowdy you may wish to take a walk out in the snow:

Outdoor section of The Garlic Tree

The Holiday Lights Tables and Holiday Lights Chairs are usually what I use in the main area, but they're definitely more at home outside with the white stuff. Sadly the Glass Chef seems to have frozen over, but we'll do our best to get some food out to you all the same. I doubt the Giant Snowman will come to your aid, as he's looking a tad overexcited at the sight of the Ferris Wheel, as is the Ice Skating Girl.

I've actually combined the Ice Rink and Ferris Wheel before for a wintry scene, but that was in January, and I don't see why they can't be brought back for Christmas. The Ice Rink is actually ideal for this season with its Christmas trees and fairy lights, although with the Train Conductor overlooking, no-one will get in without a ticket! Many cities have a Christmas fair, and I like to think of this section as my homage to this.

In contrast, we're sticking to tradition further along the Snow Gust path. I was actually really relieved when the Snow Gust tile was added in this year's goals update as prior to that it was the Waves flooring which was in use for the path (I could have used the Frozen tile but didn't want anyone slipping over!) which is not exactly ideal! With the Reindeer Tracks floor tile also heavily implemented, it's great to be able to pull off a proper wintry scene. I remember the years before there was any snowy tile for coins, and it was always so difficult to innovate a satisfying substitute. I'm still using Cloud Loveseats as large mounds of snow, but if you screw your eyes up then there's no telling...

 Want to visit The Garlic Tree?

 Invite the Storm8 ID 'lorettasapron' and visit the wall

Anyway, along the path we go, beyond the North Pole Sign and Snowy Fountain, to be met by the beautiful sight of the Reindeer Grove. One of the goal prizes in 2014, the Reindeer Grove is a real beauty, especially when the little Christmas Reindeer is positioned alongside its father. This year I've decided to work the Dogsled Team and a White Christmas Tree in with it to try and create what may appear one giant floor decoration. Hopefully it works!

A backdrop of the Snowy Field wallpaper completes the scene. I did try out this year's Snowy Night wallpaper, but felt it was just too dark for the otherwise sedate landscape. The Gingerbread Dividers are providing the border for the outdoor section - I'm so glad I bought so many of them in anticipation of their removal back in 2012!

If you think it's too cold out in the snow, you'll be eating your words shortly as it's probably too hot in the New Year party:

New Year party section of The Garlic Tree

So that's why Gran-Gran has take over at the host stand! Manager Phoebe is too busy raving and Gran-Gran doesn't like all that noise anyway!

Long time readers may remember that I had a similar section 12 months ago, although it was smaller. I feel that New Year has often been overlooked in the game, so wanted to really give it some air time in my place this year.

The guests have all featured in The Garlic Tree at some point in 2015, and have come together to ring in the New Year. They range from the appropriately dressed Mexican Dancer and Parisian Waitress to the not so appropriately dressed Pool Shark and Mad Chemist. But their respective appearances will be irrelevant after a good few drinks from the Party Cart, Cruise Ship Bars and Bubbly Fountain. Although they may need to be quick as the Lounge Lizard is attempting to drink the party dry!

Some Carnival Balloons and Party Banners help complete this busy scene, while the Sparkly Wallpaper has established itself as the best wallpaper around for party themes, at least in my opinion. There's also a glimpse of the Fireworks Celebration going on outside, while indoors the revelling continues with the New Year Party which includes a sparkly cake and party hats.

 The Garlic Tree celebrates...

 20/11/15 Thanksgiving 2015
 01/11/15 Halloween 2015
 05/10/15 Autumn 2015
 08/09/15 Summer 2015

I don't know about you but I'm exhausted after that tour! For me there's no better event to decorate for than Christmas, largely because over the years there's been so many fantastic updates for it. And yet this year's offerings have perhaps not been quite so impressive. Most of the stuff in my restaurant is from previous years with only a smattering of items which are brand new for 2015. This makes me really pity those players who are experiencing Christmas with the game for the first time - it must be really frustrating to have so few pieces to work with, and yet some of the creativity I've seen is astounding!

Perhaps the most telling sign that this year's additions have not quite lived up to the high expectations of yesteryear is that I didn't spend a single gem this year to put this festive spectacle together. Not spending big made it more difficult to come up with some original layouts, but I was determined to do something different stuff this year, and am absolutely made up with how things have panned out, particularly with the glittering gold main section.

All that remains is for me to do two things. The first is tease a post which is heading your way on Sunday - this will be a Christmas showcase in which I shine the spotlight on five of my neighbours and their magnificent festive diners. The other is to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!