Having children means that there is absolutely no opportunity for being bah humbug about Christmas! Their enthusiasm for this time of year is infectious, and it seems to start earlier and earlier every year, which makes getting it right all the more important…

So what is on my list?

1. Put up Christmas tree and decorations.

This has been done! I managed to hold Ben back until the 3^rd December (which gave my birthday cards at least two weeks on the shelf!)

We had great fun one evening putting the tree up. It needed some reorganisation after Ben had gone to bed – baubles down one side of the tree didn’t quite give the look I was after! It has taken me years to stop Hubby from covering everything in sight with Tinsel, now I have to train the kids. So far this year only the cat has been adorned!

2. Prepare for Christmas nativities

Ben’s performance takes place in the last week of term. We think the play is taking a traditional theme and Ben tells us that he is no longer a sheep, but a ‘visitor’ – is this a promotion? We have to practise all the carols on his sheet and send in his costume. Molly is a ‘snowflake’ in her nursery’s production. I just hope she does not melt and dissolve into tears, like her brother did when he saw us sitting in the front row of his first nativity. All a bit overwhelming!

3. Buy and wrap all Christmas presents

As I mentioned in my last blog, I made a start on this early to take advantage of all the sales and tempting offers in store, but I still don’t seem to be doing that well. I’m currently struggling with what to get for teachers, room leaders etc. It seems a box of chocolates doesn’t quite hit the mark anymore! Then there is trying to decipher from Ben what he really wants from Santa – it seems to change daily. Molly is easy, as anything from The Night Garden will keep her mesmerised, which just leaves the adults in the family… As you can see I’ve still got a way to go.

4. Write Christmas cards

I am in two minds about cards this year. Will a Christmas email suffice? Not sending cards would be better for the environment and my time! I need to make a decision soon as the first flurry of cards has already arrived. Whatever I decide, Ben has already put me to shame; he spent two hours tonight writing cards for all 30 of his classmates!

5. Food Shopping

Even though the Grandparents are cooking this Christmas, I still feel the need to buy Christmas treats. I blame all the TV adverts. To ease the guilt I’m pre-ordering healthy food now, for delivery in the New Year!

6. Prepare for Santa’s arrival

This has to be the best part of Christmas for any parent with young children. Plans are to make a ‘Santa Stop here’ sign, leave out some home made biscuits, along with carrots and brandy, and lay them all out on the landing with stockings before bedtime. Magical… 

The countdown to Christmas Eve begins!

Molly and Ben in front of the Christmas tree:

Molly and her Santa hat: