I hate Xmas, lots of people do but generally they have loss and/or grief associate with this; I'm just a miserable cow. Kids love Christmas - they love the magic and the mystery; the glitter and the lights; the silly songs and (climate permitting) the hope of snow. I actually like all those things too but just not all at once. That's what I find hard, the excess of it all. I get that too many minces pie feeling in November. But I got a kid now and what is motherhood but faking enjoyment? So here's how I plan to learn to love Christmas.
Decorate - Acknowledge the season with a few subtle touches at home, you don't need to dive in with a life sized Santa straight away, these days you can get pieces so lovely you'll want them up all year. Hema have some really cute and quirky Christmas decorations but check out Homesense for things you'll look forward to getting out every year.
Be giving - The end of the year is a great time for a clear out. I don't know about you but I get so much satisfaction from sorting out a much neglected drawer. You can give all the stuff you don't need to charity to remind yourself and your children what the yuletide is really about. Smart Works donates high quality interview clothes to women in need and keep your local toy library going with your no longer loved play things.
Be rebellious - My favourite Christmas was probably the year that I ran away to Goa, it felt so cheeky eating a lamb curry in the blazing sun. Sometimes Christmas can start to merge into one big festive fuzz but when you break the rules you create a holiday to remember. For an escape the kids will give a big thumbs up to try CentreParcs.
Start a tradition - It wasn't until I started writing this post that I realised I already have a Christmas tradition. On Christmas Eve I stay in bed and watch a full season of Sex and the City; that's what's important to remember - traditions aren't about the time of year, they're about you. So have a make your own pizza night on Christmas Eve or host a silly socks contest. I'll probably switch out Sex and the City for a more child friendly film fest, no Christmas movies allowed.
The best way to beat Christmas stress is to get organised so I'm giving away an Organised Mum life book diary. It's changed my life, let it change yours. Head back next Tuesday for another post and another giveaway - see I do love Christmas :)
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Bucks fizz on Christmas morning it gets Christmas off to a great start :) x
ReplyDeleteOur tradition roast turkey Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, including sprouts!
ReplyDeletePlan for buying Christmas pressies well in advance - make a list of who you buy for and then write ideas for gifts beside their name. Have a budget in mind and stick to it! Cross off or tick each name as you buy for them so you don't forget!
ReplyDeleteBucks Fizz and bagels when I wake up!
ReplyDeletewe just go with the flow
ReplyDeletePutting up the tree is always the start of that Xmas feeling for me
ReplyDeleteWatching Elf on DVD, with Snowballs and chocolate under a blanket
ReplyDeleteChristmas films on Christmas eve with new pyjamas and a blanket :)
ReplyDeletewe always have a buffet and play board games on xmas eve
ReplyDeletemaking mince pies for santa on xmas eve x
ReplyDeletesinging carols in church
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is now 21 but a few years ago we started a little tradition of having a night together eating lots of chocolate, watching chick flicks and drinking wine. We usually do it on the 23rd :)
ReplyDeletePlaying board games with the family after Christmas dinner
ReplyDeletePlaying games and watching Christmas movie
ReplyDeleteFake it to make it!
ReplyDeleteGoing to the Christingle service at the local church
ReplyDeleteHanging up the stockings on christmas eve
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of starting up your own personal Xmas traditions...can I bagsy the one that says it's against the rules for me to help with the washing up and clearing away after Xmas dinner? ;)
ReplyDeleteAfter eating dinner on Christmas day, we would find envelopes that Santa had left us. One for each person, containing scraps of paper saying where in the house our presents had been hidden. We’d take turns finding a present and bringing it back to the living room to open. My brother and I always knew that ‘Santa’ was really our grandfather, and now carry on the tradition ourselves.
ReplyDeleteI love giving my 2 girlsxmaseve boxes then we sit and watch the snowman before bed
ReplyDeleteSmoked Salmon & Bucks Fizz Xmas Breakfast :)
ReplyDeleteWe don't have any traditions as such, just wing it to survive
ReplyDeleteI always watch Home Alone on Christmas Eve ^_^
ReplyDeleteGetting presents ready christmas eve and tracking father christmas
ReplyDeleteWhen we all get new Christmas Eve pyjamas and sit down to watch Elf before bed.
ReplyDeletegoing to the panto
ReplyDeletegoing to the panto
ReplyDeleteMid morning after the excitement of present opening and before the excesses of the big dinner we always sit with a cuppa and salmon on Ritz crackers. Just wouldn't be the same without this family tradition :)
ReplyDeleteDecorating the tree
ReplyDeleteGoing to a carol service.
ReplyDelete