Traditions to prepare for Christmas

It's nearly 'the most wonderful time of the year' again, and I can barely contain my excitement. I love, and have always loved, anything remotely to do with Christmas time. I'm the sort of girl who listens to her festive Michel Buble CD in October, and watches 'The Holiday' at least once a week from November. It is just all too exciting, and lovely and, well just wonderful. So to mark this amazing time of year descending upon us again, I thought I'd share some of my favourite Christmas traditions that I started with my wonderful kiddos.

  1. We go to see our town's Christmas light switch on, which is usually around mid November. The kids get a hot chocolate from starbucks and Mama gets a peppermint mocha or a Toffee Nut Latte and we are like a little red cup family, it's so fun to take a picture because Scarlette usually requests a caramel babycinno so the picture shows a very BIG cup (mine) two small cups (the big girls') and a teeny tiny cup (Scarlette's) it's like the three bears but cuter, because let's be honest, coffee is way better than porridge. We also have to wear scarves, hats and gloves (or mittens!) to said town because it is cold around these parts. I love to take a picture of the girls looking all wintery next to the big tree all lit up and splendid.

  2. We write a letter to Santa
I've never struggled with the Santa V Jesus debate that lots of Christian hosueholds seem to have, my girls know that Jesus is the entire reason we have Christmas, but Santa is a little fun that I like to encourage and indulge in. The girls write their wish lists and tell Santa how good they have been, and then they usually get a video response from the big man himself - I use the portable North Pole website, because it is realistic and magical. I sometimes also send myself one of those videos too, and usually Santa places me on the good list which is just brilliant. The Kids also post a letter to Santa, and as long as he receives it by December 6th, the kids get a personalised letter mailed back to them by the lovely folk at the Royal Mail North Pole.
 
3. I decorate the house on December 1st
Every year, on December 1st, after the kids are asleep, I set to work on decorating our home for christmas. I have a slight OCD about my Christmas tree which has to be decorated symmetrically on all sides and must have a new colour theme every two to three years. Last year it was red and gold, but this year it will be black and old gold, as I'm trying a more sophisticated twist. I will of course always include the kids' ornaments, and any baubles with sentimental value in every years display. I also set the nativity scene up complete except for baby Jesus, who appears in the manger on Christmas morning. The mantels get decorated too and a tree is placed in each window at the front of the door. Finally I add a wreath to our front door and buy a poinsetta plant. When the kids wake up, I take a sneaky snap whilst they are marvelling at the tree, which usually is the photo I use for our christmas cards.

 4. We have a girls only movie night
We started this one last year when we were an all-girl household for the first time at Christmas. I settled my youngest to bed after a festive fairy tale and then sat down with my oldest two to watch 'Elf' and drink mulled wine (me) and Hot cocoa (them) and eat a Terry's Chocolate Orange together, all snuggled under a big quilt. I also put the fire on and light some Christmas candles, then I turn out the lights and we have a cosy cwtch up.

  5. We make paper chains
Every year I try to involve the kids in some christmas crafts and every year I almost have a breakdown because of the mess that follows it.( Think reindeer cards made out of brown footprints of a 1yr old, a 4yr old and a 5yr old.) Paper Chains is one craft that everyone seems to enjoy that is almost completely mess-free! It also helps to make the kids bedrooms feel more festive too.

  6. We address Christmas Cards and then deliver them
We set up a little writing station of gold pens, red pens and christmas cards and then get to work writing out hand penned notes inside them. After we are through, we bundle into the car to deliver them to local friends and neighbours, and the children get to see the lights of nearby houses at the same time. (It also saves money on posting them with stamps!)

7. We go to my old school choir carol service.
Each Year my old high school hosts a carol concert at a church near my mum's house,I think it's super fun to go and see my ex teachers and support the school at the same time. We dress warmly since the church is old and very cold, and then we sing carols and follow it up with a mince pie afterwards.

 8. My mama and I head off for an overnight girls trip to a city in England
This is one of my favourite traditions. Ever since I got my first full time job, my mother and I have headed to Birmingham to do some Christmas shopping. We browse the handmade fare at the christmas market chalets and we shop til our feet can't take another step. We also enjoy a Nando's and far too many starbucks. We spend a night at a hotel and come home excited to see our people and wrap the gifts we bought. Quality mother and daughter time is the best!

Look out for Part 2 - traditions for Christmas Eve, coming soon!