Name: Christabelle
Trade: Christmas fairy
Why did you become a Christmas fairy?
After a long haul as the tooth fairy I fancied a change and my friend, Sugar-Plum suggested this. I was up against Tinkerbell who has had a lot of experience, but I was delighted to be chosen and have really enjoyed my time at the top.
What training or qualifications are involved?
There is very little training – I did have to show that I could balance at jaunty angles, and of course you have to be very good at staying absolutely stock still for a very long time. Some people put the tree up in November!
How long have you been a Christmas fairy?
For nearly two hundred years! Ever since Prince Albert introduced the idea of having decorated trees indoors at Christmas time.
Where do you work?
At the very top.
Who else works with you?
Well sometimes there are other entertaining characters dangling from the tree, but mostly its pretty lonely at the top.
What is involved in being a Christmas fairy?
You have to have a complete tolerance of tinsel and baubles and if you are even slightly allergic to pine this is not the job for you. Oh, and you must be able to sleep in a multi-coloured, flashy light environment.
How does your day usually unfold?
My day usually starts at midnight when I get down from the top of the tree and check the tree over for any stray bits of tinsel or a bauble that may have fallen. Some people take a great deal of care over the design of their tree and I like to maintain that standard. Occasionally you get trees that look like they’ve been decorated by five-year olds- they are very difficult to manage. I’m not a fan of those.
What would you say to someone thinking about this as a career?
If you don’t mind having a prickly tree up your skirt whilst holding a smile all day long this could be the job for you. You do get to wear some very nice frocks although they can get a bit dusty.
What is the best thing about your job?
Christmas day of course – I get to share in all the fun and have the very best view from the very top of the tree.
Nichola Williams