Christmas pudding

Every year we have Christmas pudding for our dessert and my husband lights the warm brandy to flame it.

Merry Christmas !

Christmas tree

Our lovely magical 15 pound tree!

New years eve

Its mad in the shops everyone buying luxury food. We usually get together with friends for a 3 course meal. This year we have been asked to contribute to the cheese board. We are taking Gorwydd Caerphilly and organic haford cheddar. I am going to make our own Christmas Chutney with cranberrys later. I found recept on line its Nigellas. I don't have any of her cook book but it sounded nice. We try to buy seasonally and locally but as im welsh could not resist some welsh cheese for 2night. Happy New Year!

Wet dreary day

Wet wet wet, late up just off to shops to buy a full english. We are shutting our doors for a few days now, we are preparing the dvd and photos for local pantomine & school nativity. It is worthwhile but takes a time, children happy making scarfs with a new Threadz kit and first sewing kit. Our son on computer game this afternoon. Tomorrow we shall plan a day trip. These few days of the christmas break are spent relaxing...

Visting family

My husband has taken children to visit family, last of the presents delivered. We had some money as gifts but we have decided to save it for a month or two then go shopping when we really would like / need a treat..

Between Christmas & New Year...

Family all left now, sad today and tired. I went to the sales, M&S very good and bought some dvd's from HMV. It is sad Christmas over for another year.
Finished off the turkey today, nice curry, eventually got to the cheese board.
We enjoyed the Dvd of the Olympics this year very nostalgic time of year.

Boxing day

Lazy day with late breakfast then off to cinema to watch Nativity 2. It was funny! kids laughed alot then home for Turkey leftovers. I made a lemon meringe Pie & jam tarts with the children.

Christmas day...

We had a fab day, up at 8am, present giving, skyping with my brother & cousins. Everyone v excited & felt v loved. Christmas smellies, autobiographys & cuddly bath robs & pink slippers v popular.
Turkey, pork & Flamed christmas pud a treat. A small breakfast this year and no starter... fun filled day....Elliot airfix modelling..

Christmas lovers

My mum's always loved Christmas

Thornton's Jolly Chocolate Santa's

We have bought them both a Thornton's chocolate santa each and written a note on the top for them to find in the morning.. Elliot listening out taking soooo long to sleep.

A moment

It is a lovely Christmas this year. In blogging the special moments today thoughts also for my friends & family who are struggling at the moment with poor health & difficult times. I am always so grateful to have another good Christmas.

Little moments 4.

The most special moment each year, the children have left out mince pie for Father Christmas, carrots for his helpers and a vvv large Sherry with the bottle for an extra tipple... Amelia is concerned she will not be able to go to sleep!!

Christmas table

Christmas table is always layed Christmas eve by me & Amelia. We have been discussing Father Christmas's arrival, looked up his progress on line. Amelia thinks he will go to Wales first then Newbury. They truly believe so its magical to discuss his coming. They are now bathed & watching Mr Stink a comedy written by David Walliams book about a homeless man who makes a friend of 12 year old Chloe. They have listened to the audio book all year before bed & now its on BBC2. At least Mr Stink is played by Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey.

Little moments 3

Christmas eve seafood supper after each year we watch if we have time or listen to Carols from Kings college cambridge, a traditional celebration of Christmas still very alive in our house.

Turkey shopping & trifle

Its not strictly a special moment but wanted to share picture of our free range bird with you & our family favourite dessert made each year, Trifle!!

Little Moments 2.

Each year we allow the children to open a present Christmas eve. They were so excited this morning, jumping off the walls we have done it at 10am!! see video of excited E&A!

Capturing Those Little Moments no 1

Up till 1am wrapping pressies with my husband & mum. Phew all done for another year, we played the Cd of Emeli Sande reminded me of the Olympic ceremonies, beautiful vocals... I love this part of the Christmas prep. This year Elliot almost walked downstairs and saw us wrapping gifts??? just about got away with it. He is 8 and was questioning what all the noise was downstairs, we want to try & keep the magic for another year or two.

Strictly come dancing final

Tv is also part of Christmas so just sat down as a whole family in front of candles & fire to watch the recorded final..well done Lewis our favourite.

Gressingham Duck

My mum has prepared a Sunday feast of Gressingham Duck, red cabbage, roast potatoes & cranberry followed by chocolate Christmas log. We tend not to eat too much Christmas eve but have a roast meal the day before Christmas eve together. This has been duck the last 2 years. Cooking together and eating together is a huge part of our Christmas festivities.

Christmas Shopping..last minute

Out Christmas shopping today, this is later than normal for me. First stop Staples, we bought a desk for my 6 year old & loads of pink girlie, pens, glue, sissors pots files. I got a traditional Basilton Bond writing pad & envelopes, just as i had as a girl.

Next stop Cath Kidson for lovely handbags, one for mum & one for Amelia.
Then hmv, the box set of the olympics, pj's and suduko for Dad. Then off to Waterstone for the 15 minute J Oliver
cookbook, gorgeous hardback wind in the willows book and some audio books for children.

Sore head..

Our last Christmas drinks last night, kids in one room, grown ups in another, it was at another lovely neighbours house. It went with a bang so have a sore head this morning. Think it was all the different brands of bubbly!. Such a great way to start the long Christmas weekend. Children woke us up with ' 2 sleeps to go'

Ballet Theatre UK - A Christmas Carol

Another tradition of ours is to go to Arlington Arts theatre in Newbury to see Ballet Theatre UK. A few friends take our daughters but my son aged 8 also goes and loves it 'awesome' was his comment this year. Last year was the snow queen this year it was 'A Christmas Carol'.

They danced to lots of carols we all felt very festive. This tale of Dickins is perfect as a ballet. I took my mum as part of her Christmas present.

Village Christmas Lights

Every year it is a tradition in our village of Stockcross that the elderly couple who live in this house next to the church display an amazing Christmas light scene in their garden. We do not know who lives in the house but every year our children purposely walk to this house in the centre of the village to stand and pause for a moment to enjoy the lights. There are no street lights in Stockcross its very dark, quiet and calm at this house. It is a very magical moment each year that we share with our children.

Last minute sneeky treat

Before us busy mum's get rushed off our feet we have booked a Friday night meal out at local refurbished pub with good friends. We will have a few drinks & relax and so looking forward to a meal put in front of me before i go looking after everyone else over Christmas.

It is a treat for us to eat out, i have just done abit of temporary work this month, first time in 9 years, so am looking forward to it!

Hot Mince Pies & A Cuppa

My lovely neighbour has invited us round for post Christingle Cuppa & mince pie. It turns out it was for Hestons puff pastry mince pies!! and chocolate covered peanuts. We also had bubbles and expresso!!

Everyone raised a glass & said Merry Christmas, everyone reflected on the year and discussed at length how far we were in preparations. It seems alot shopped on line for food & presents this year.

The very large Lindor Chocolate circular red chocolates proving popular as gifts. they were sold in our local Waitrose.

The majority were ordering Organic Turkeys from farms or Butchers. We also planned to start a choir to perform with our children as school supports singing & music. We discussed the Christmas no1 and the Miliary wives music..

Christingle Service at St John's

The last day of term & we walk to school to collect our children in family groups. We then walk to St John's Church in Stockcross & have a Carols & Christingle service together. It comprises of carols, readings and music. My son Elliot played 'Santa's Flight' in his Violin group. He jas only had 3 lessons we were so proud.

It is very emotional when the teachers hand out the Christingles to each child and we then have to light the familys Candle next to ours. After the distribution we sing silent night together with christingles lit, a very special moment. There are numerous prayers for friends, family & the world.

The Chamber choir sang 'walking in the air' today so lovely especially having seen the snowman.

The blessing today was very good and the Church bells rang as Rev Toogood said the blessing. I find this time of Christmas important to remember and pray for those less fortunate than us.

Today i prepared 109 Christingles with the staff then we took 40 infant children to decorate them with sweets. It symbolizes the blood of christ, the world, the 4 seasons and the light represents Christ.

Family arriving...

The start of my Christmas my parents have arrived for 6 days from Wales (home of the best Christmases possible) we have given them their special cards and watched the school nativity and enjoyed our first glass if prosecco bubbles together. When the children are asleep time with mum to show her my Christmas plant & we have had a laugh with our singing hat!

Christmas Fayre

It's getting close to the big food shop for the Christmas period. I have a video showing all the Christmas goodies i have purchased today for my cupboards...cheese & biscuits to chocolates and A festive Duck...

Another stolen moment

We all do it!! opened the Lily O'Briens contemporary chocolates from under the tree! yummy. I blame my blog email yesterday putting ideas in my head!.

The children made Nativity story books today, never knew Shepherds were purple and angels were orange??umm. How many families having a truely religious christmas celebration?

Christmas Activities with the kids

Today my daughter Amelia was Mary in her school Nativity called 'its a baby'. She sang a lullaby with Joseph. There was an evening and daytime performance. We were so proud of her and she looked very beautiful. The infants have been practicing this for a few weeks and I had to take photo's of each group, Shepherds, wise men etc as my husband was videoing it for the DVD which raises money for the school. Amelia really enjoyed singing all the songs with her friends, some great dancing too!.

My stolen Christmas moment

It is sitting down this evening at 8pm (unheard of) My husband is bathing my daughter and i am sat down watching The Great British Bake Off Christmas Masterclass. Christmas cake first, then mince pie master class.

Elliot my son is with me at home & has just requested i cook the christmas chocolate log!!!. What has promted this is that i cannot wait to get into the kitchen & bake now and am thinking about christmas dinner. Elliot & I are feeling very Christmacy and festive.

Sutton Hall Christmas drinks

After Church carols we stopped off at the village hall for Stockcross Christmas Drinks & Photo Review Of The Year. It was a slide show of all the wonderful events in our village in 2012. We had drinks, hot dog & mince pie and local beer. It is a chance to meet up with neighbours and have more Christmas cheer! It was the first time we have been & took children it was very very good and gave us a warm good feeling about our friends & neighbours..

Church Service - Carol Service

We went as a family to Stockcross Church carol service this evening, it is something we do each year. At St John's Church it is the festival Of Nine Lessons & Carols. It is a very special service 9 carols & 9 readings. We dress up warm to attend as we can walk to Church and it is very Christmacy...

Bargains

This year i find prices falling in high street as December goes on. Last year felt if you did not shop in first week you missed out on bargins.. Got cheapest book from Tescos this year and Laura Ashley sale to 30 percent off smellies.. I bought crackers today we like to splash out abit on luxury ones to make the table look nice..bought L Ashley ones 30 to 15 pounds would have paid more for these!! beautiful

Wrapping presents up...

Most exciting!! wrapping children's presents up with hubby..we have Hello kitty headphones, plate, bowl and cup set and paper jamz microphone and effects amp! our son has tech deck skate & go park and Victoria cross icons airfix also the most popular book at moment diary of a wimpy kid ( the third wheel ). He also has a football goal post as his main pressie.

Village Children's Christmas Party

Today we went to our village children's Christmas party, it was dancing & a puppet show this year with
a Christmas tea. Look who turned up with a lot of presents. Our children have gone for the past 4 years
and this is a big party of our tradition for Christmas. Mulled wine for the grown ups and time to catch up
with neighbours and friends, a winter wonderland theme this year....

School Childrens Christmas party

As parents we need to contribute food for the children's christmas party at school on Monday, sausages or sandwiches? they'll be christmaced out by the time they break up..

Works Christmas lunch

Mine was a primary school dinner, husband to a lovely restaurant?? umm

Nigella Christmas

First of many cookery programs we watch, glazed ham, homemade fudge making by Nigella, feel like making snowball cocktails now...infused with holiday spirit. I never thought of spicy butternut squash perfection...

Stockcross school xmas lunch

Just sat down with 100 children for their Christmas lunch to 'do they know it's christmas time at all'

We made Christmas lanterns for the table in house colours. Also practiced nativity..no better place for a Christmas feeling, as its school not easy to take photographs..

Favourite cards

My children have recieved cards from their friends that they designed themselves via PTFA and a small contribution goes to school. I mentioned this before its by class fundraising.com. We also love traditional family ones

Cold & frosty morning

Woke to -5 degrees and beautiful frosty morning, warm fire & carols on now, still nursing poorly children. Did however make Christmas cards with class of 25 homemade so much better...

Need to do more shopping...

Christmas treats

Ballet booked, Christmas theatre evening booked called Arabian Nights and must book Nativity 2 cinema tickets...

Tv times/ Radio times

Bought the Radio & Tv Times to sit down and circle what we all want to watch!! first up the Food programmes Christmas episodes, this is my indulgence along with a purchase of BBC Food mag..

Nativity practice

My daughter is Mary in her last nativity called 'it's a baby' lots of parents buying costumes this year not making them, Tescos must do a good trade..been helping out the school in my temp job, how special is this??

Sales if calpol must of rocketed out if a school of 106 there were 42 children out with flu bug, not easy to practice without mary & Joseph..

Christmas cards...

Writing our Christmas cards in front of fire, poorly children asleep on sofa. One has been trying on her Mary nativity costume for size..I have always loved sending Christmas cards & catching up with friends & family by post, a great tradition...

Huge discussion now on Christmas menu, will it be Goose? or Turkey? we have decided on Welsh Pork from my mums butcher in Wales...

Christmas colds

My 2 children ill with vicious virus whooping cough, high temperatures and being sick....i hope they'll be better for Christmas....

My daughter and I did go to NEXT for her Christmas outfit before she became unwell. Lots of sequins, in fact lots & lots of sequins on tops and trowsers..gorgeous stuff in shop..

Christmas Sunday lunch with friends..

Yesterday we went to friends & enjoyed Christmas lunch together. Christmas hats, Christmas cocktails for us & children. Good red wine, cheese & after eights...

Tree decorated

Close family cards up on fireplace and the children decorated the tree! we are feeling & looking festive..

Christmas Marketing

My first Christmas with a smart phone, i cannot believe how many emails i recieve each day promoting offers. They are mostly from amazon, photobox, even ones advertising Cd's. I am actually finding this useful advertising as often needing inspiration for gift ideas. I have also logged into John Lewis and M&S websites tonight to save me time in the highstreet..

Real Christmas tree Shopping with Daddy

It's a highlight today in our Christmas preparations to go to buy our Christmas Tree. We go to the same garden centre and we borrow a big saw and the children select it and Daddy chops it down....

Bought some new outside lights and mystletoe. In the garden centre i think live home decorations eg wreaths are very beautiful.

It seems v quiet out shopping in Newbury? that is compared to other years..

Paperchains

Children love helping with decorations so this year have bought make your own paperchains, even seem these in cath kidson shop today. They look fantastic and have taken an hour of hard work!!

Letters to Santa

One of the best moments, in front of the fire on a Friday evening, ( they started writing them a month ago) but E&A writing their final letter to Father Christmas..

They still believe and actually don't ask for much but i have learnt to listen to them and we try to get the top 3 on the list..

Secret Santa

The hardest present to find today Secret Santa in my temporary job. Buying abit of luxury at low cost. Brief is between £5 to £7 so ended up buying a Christmas Festive Spice Reed Diffuser..pleased with that..

Christmas Shopping Started..

I went to Newbury today & bought my cards from M&S i always like to buy nice cards, they were half price already!

If i want books always head to whsmiths, Jamie Oliver 15 minute cook book will be on my list..

Did some window shopping to get ideas in Debenhams, M&S today

At our local dept store camp hopson they had 15 percent off crabtree & e gift sets so bought one of them!

Debenhams had offers in cosmetic dept very tempting..

Decorations up

Just set aside a day to put up Christmas decorations, we have a traditional material advent calender. I buy chocolate to go in it and we have stockings around the fire & around the house.


I bought 4 new decorations for the tree and had to replace Christmas tree lights..

Picked up waitrose free guide on Drinks at Christmas time for ideas...