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So this is the gift guide that will be most relevant to Bear. He’s 18 months old and although he likes playing with his brothers toys, he still enjoys toys aimed at 1 year olds.
We have a few bits for him already which I’ll share in this guide, along with some items we are still planning on buying him.
We’ve always found buying for Lamb pretty easy. Maybe it’s because he’s our first child, and we only had him to think about. However, Bear is proving difficult.
Yay it’s December! So it’s time to talk about Christmas ideas!!
Family Christmas ideas. Christmas crafts, Christmas traditions. Christmas, Christmas, CHRISTMAS!
Have you had enough of it already: heck no. I say this whilst lounging in red tartan pjs, twinkling lights on in the background, and the tree in all its magnificence decked out behind me. All I need is some cheeses and jack frost nipping at my nose.
I’m officially Christmas ready, and so I should have no shame in having the decs out in full swing in the middle of November. I’ve completed the drag task of christmas shopping, preparing cards, ordering the turkey dinner, that’s the crap stuff. I’m allowed to indulge in the magic now. Yep Stevie is all done with the tasks and all I have is the fun ahead of me.
So here comes the fun… Over the next few weeks I’m going to discuss some of our favourite things to do for the holidays and would love to hear any suggestions and traditions your family does at this magical time of year!
The first thing on the agender is the decorations. I try to transform the lounge, so in every corner there’s something either, red, gold or a jolly Mr Frosty. However I just about manage to withhold patience whilst the decs go up. It’s bit of a mad house, and serious case of deja vu each year, but we stumble into it, with a Christmas song collection blasting out on Spotify. (Do not put on childrens Christmas songs; I can not handle the choir singing jingle bells on repeat).
The kids are placing a hundred baubles at their height on the tree whilst I slowly replace them evenly. My taste is a little eclectic. I quite like the mismatch of ornaments on the tree. Each year I try and buy a few more randoms to place, with my favourite ones being from craft fairs and of all places Sainsbury’s. I usually huddle in the sale aisles halfway into December to grab a few baubles half price from there each year. I will most likely repeat this little tradition, but only when it’s a third off, come on Sainsbos chuck it in the sale already!
This year I have invested in some Christmas cushions from Poundland. Believe me I was not expecting to come away with some throw pillows for the couch from Poundland. But call me pleasantly surprised. Sure the stuffing is a bit lackluster, but at a reduced cost for something used only once a year, call me converted. I’m guessing each store carries its own designs but we went for a red reindeer square, a black merry christmas signed one and a cream red nose printed reindeer one. Across the grey background of our grey sofa they look quite darn chic.
Back to the tree and in the assortment of decs we have a few LEGO ones, Starwars, Frozen, and the kids homemade ones dotted about. At times I wish it would resemble the professional decorated ones in shops but I also love how it reflects us as a family.
So the kids are loving it, my husband just about bares it and I’m just like let’s hurry it up. But you know what, I wouldn’t trade it. The kids excitement only fuels my love for christmas and the end result brings so much joy that you forget all about the kids breaking that one lego ornament we’ve had for years. The house is warm and cosy and that air of magic consumes you so.
I would love to see your examples of Christmas loving. Do you go full on out and decorate the whole house; if so I’m extremely jealous and am hopping in the car ASAP! Please share any ideas to get us in the festive spirit and look out for further countdown to Christmas posts.
You can read more guest posts from Stevie here.
You can read more Christmas themed posts here.
Well Winter is well and truly here and it’s FREEZING! Jack Frost must be loving life right now.
Lamb is pretty good at wrapping up in the winter. He will keep his hat on and has learned to put his gloves on by himself. There’s my first tip. Teach them to put their gloves on – it will save you so much time it the morning!
Bear however, is a different story. The little monkey refuses to wear a hat and kicks off any blanket or foot muff I put on him in the pram. With it being SO cold outside I worry so much about him being cold.
Each year I buy myself a chocolate advent calendar, and each year I forget to eat it (or my husband gets to it first). The thing is, one tiny chocolate doesn’t cut it for me, I need something more substantial. Something that’s more of a festive treat.
So you can imagine how delighted I was when First 4 Hampers sent me their Gin and Tonic Advent Calendar to review! O.M.G. All the gin.
I’m a recent gin and tonic convert, but since that first Hendricks and elderflower tonic, with a couple of slices of cucumber, I literally can’t get enough of the stuff.
Now, as it’s not the 1st yet I haven’t tried the gin or any of the tonics. But I’ve taken a sneaky peek under some of the doors to see what you get in the calendar.
I’ve already written a Christmas gift guide for myself (hopefully hubby’s had a look!) but I’ve been thinking about what I want to buy the girls in my family. I normally don’t struggle to buy for my mum etc, but in case you are struggling here’s some ideas for Christmas gifts, to help you out.
