Lifestyle, food and drink, and our family life and travel adventures.
Ooh, Love Actually I think. It’s so sweet and lovely and it just makes me think aaaahhhhhh. I like Elf but I don’t think I’ve seen it many times. Ava and I watched The Polar Express for the first time last year and everyone seems to like it, but I thought it was a bit weird, and a bit scary for kids actually. I think I need to watch it again to give it another chance; I want to like it. Oh, Home Alone! I love it; it makes me feel like a kid again. The Snowman! I have watched The Snowman since I was a little girl and I just love it. It is so different to anything else, with no speaking and it just feels so special and meaningful, although I always find it sad too.
Christmas morning, definitely. It’s what we’ve always done and I can’t imagine it any other way. I know in some countries they open their presents on Christmas Eve so I guess whatever is normal for you is what seems right and traditional, but it would be weird to me to open them anytime other than Christmas Day. Christmas Eve for me is always so rushed, especially since becoming a mother. I’m always busy wrapping last minute presents and getting everything organised. This year we are actually giving Ava a new pair of pyjama’s on Christmas eve so she can wear them that night. I think it’s a nice little tradition to get a new pair of pyjamas to wear on Christmas Eve.
I think just waking up when I was a child and seeing if Santa had been and finding a sack full of presents at the end of my bed. It was the most exciting, magical thing; I remember that feeling so vividly and it makes me want to be a child again! Ava is so much more aware of Christmas and what it involves this year so Santa is going to give her her first ever sack full of presents at the end of her bed. I’m so excited for her to see it.
Pigs in Blankets, chocolate, chocolate, more chocolate. I just love Christmas dinner; it’s always so big and it’s lovely enjoying it with family on Christmas Day. I actually really like Christmas Pudding too. I would never want it at any other time of year, but it just tastes so Christmassy!
I think maybe it was my first ever proper bike (although that could have been for a birthday). I think it was a Raleigh Bianca and was a pale mint green and I loved it so much!
Christmas trees, without a doubt. I absolutely love the smell of a real tree. We have always had a real tree and I can’t imagine not having that smell as you come into the lounge. Although they do always seem to have less of a scent than they used to. If anyone knows of a candle that smells really similar to the Christmas tree smell, please let me know!
We never have before, but this year we are doing the new pyjamas thing as well as sprinkling some sparkly Reindeer Food that Grandma gave to Ava outside so that the Reindeer can see our house from the sky! How cute is that?! We are also going to try and look out for Santa’s sleigh (the International Space Station) going over our house. And I have bought a lovely pop-up version of ‘The Night Before Christmas’ that I’ll read to Ava on Christmas Eve.
For a long time when I still lived with my mum it was a red ribbon and I’m not sure why! Since I have lived in my own house it has also been a ribbon a couple of times too! Last year I bought a star to put on but it wouldn’t stay on at all. Even though it is now the 21st December we haven’t actually finished decorating the tree yet (we only got it yesterday) because we have just been so busy, so I am yet to discover what will grace the top of our tree this year. Possibly nothing, like last year, if the star won’t stay on (what a disgrace).
Ahh, the Early Learning Centre Cosy Coupe car. I was so desperate for one for so many years and I never ever got one. I used to get so excited when we went to the Early Learning Centre shop so that I could play in the little red and yellow car, and I hated it when there was someone already playing on it.
Spending time with family, loads of food, everyone having time off work together and PRESENTS! But mainly, over the last three years, watching Ava get excited about seeing family and receiving presents and generally enjoying it all. Seeing Christmas through a toddler’s eyes makes it all so exciting again and I can’t wait!
If you do The Christmas Tag then let me know so I can read yours. Merry Christmas!
Welcome to Birds and Lilies! I'm Lou: mother, blogger and freelance writer. This is my lifestyle blog, where I talk about motherhood, infertility and IVF, beauty, my love for food and wine, as well as my thoughts about stuff, and our real-life and travel adventures.
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You missed out Miracle on 34th Street!! X
Dear Louise,
OK, so I’m sorry about the Cosy Coupe; are you ever going to forgive me?
We had no traditions on Christmas Eve because by the time I’d finally persuaded my two lovely daughters to go to sleep, I was up til gone midnight wrapping all their presents and helping santa carry their sacks upstairs!
The red ribbon thing? Well I think I saw a tree once, just done in red ribbons, and I liked it!
And….aaah I remember that bike!
Love Mum xxx
ps Merry Christmas 🙂