Christmas

This Christmas has been a lot of fun!

Looking back over the month of December, there have been lots of special moments. The holiday really does start as soon as Thanksgiving is over here, with many decorations and trees appearing the weekend after!

However, many of my favourite moments have been the simple times we have spent together, whether playing in the snow, crafting or baking. So, here is my run down of our 12 days moments of Christmas.

1. Tradition: Santa

We visited Santa at the beginning of December. This trip had been planned for the weekend after Thanksgiving (!) but a diving off the sofa incident, which resulted in a wee girl with a rather bruised and scratched face, pushed this back to the following weekend. It’s a cheesy photo, but I love it, and it’s set to become a family tradition.

2. Community: Home for the holidays

Our town celebrates the start of the Christmas season with a town wide event. Organised by the Chamber of commerce and involving all the local businesses and community groups, it is a wonderful occasion for the kids with activities ranging from a petting zoo to cookie decorating to mini golf, there was even a hayride with Santa! There was such a wonderful sense of community, the kids had a blast, and I felt very settled as we bumped into friends and neighbours along the way.

3. Milestone: First snow

Last year the wee girl was too small to play in the snow. So, when we had our first decent covering of snow running around in it was a must! A milestone; a simple, ordinary moment; treasured memories.

4. Play: Lots of snow

After our first snow we had our first winter storms, resulting in 15 inches of snow! The kids had a ball :)

5. Craft: Paper Christmas trees

Nothing beats a bit of Christmas crafting, we’ve made trees and pictures and Christmas cards. Lots of gluing and sticking and glitter!

6. Bake: Christmas cookies

The 4yo always enjoys baking – we just had to make some Christmas cookies. Decorating is the best bit :)

7. Spirit: Christmas tree

It doesn’t really feel like Christmas for me until the tree is up and decorated. I will, as always, be sad to see it go. Nothing beats sitting in the glow of twinkly fairy lights in the evening.

8. Surprise: Granny

My husband arranged for my mother to fly over for Christmas – it was a complete surprise! I am thrilled, and the kids are excited beyond belief! It has made our Christmas.

9. Neighbourhood: Gifts

Our close neighbours give the kids gifts for Christmas, which is very kind of them and really strengthens our sense of belonging and community. Last year I made biscuits, this year I made chocolate and peppermint cookies. This was a solo baking effort, and it was lovely to spend an hour baking alone :)

10. Make: Gingerbread house

On Christmas Eve we finally made our gingerbread house! An enjoyable time spent with the boys building and decorating – I think I enjoyed it as much, if not more, than them.

11. Excitement: Presents

Christmas really is all about the kids. Watching them open presents was just the best thing. We had kept the piles modest this year, and it was brilliant. They all immediately started playing with their main presents, and were engaged and happy for hours. The wee girl may not understand the concept of presents yet, but she certainly understood the unwrapping bit!

12. Family: Christmas Day

Christmas Day itself was wonderful. We had such a relaxed and calm day. There was no stress, no rushing around. Christmas dinner was lovely, with no drama and no hours spent in the kitchen (preparation is key!). We enjoyed a few glasses of fizz and had a family movie night, watching the 4yo’s Santa gift Turbo. It was a special day.

What were your favourites moments?