Advent

My heart is full this morning. I’ve always loved Christmas, and Christmas when you are blessed to have children is even more magical.

This year my aim was to be prepared for Christmas for the start of advent, and while I am not 100% ready I am far enough through that I am entering this season serene and happy rather than stressed and grumpy.

Last night I had a few things to do before bed but I fell fast asleep on the sofa…but with a little creative thinking I managed to save the situation. I needed to write a letter from a Christmas elf to Jessica, but instead I left a piece of blank paper tied as a scroll with magical writing that only Mummy can see!

We aren’t doing elf on the shelf as we don’t do the good/bad naughty/nice thing, Gifts are given freely and with love in our house. No judgement if you do differently, but I know I would have been scared as a child at the thought of being watched all the time! Instead Jingle the elf has come from the north pole for a holiday with us, as she has been working hard to help Father Christmas. Her magic works at night so she can move around, and she may bring little treats with her. Some of the treats will be things for Jessica, like a nice bath bomb, but most of them will be things like making cards for our neighbours or shopping for the food bank.

Anyway, Jessica bounced straight out if bed and into ours without even noticing the elf! When she found it she was so exited! And I loved that she mused out loud that Father Christmas must have chosen our home for Jingle’s holiday as she hadn’t been too cheeky this year! 

Downstairs I set out the beautiful paper Christmas tree calendar that she had chosen weeks ago, along with an advent candle. I also put out Carl’s calendar and candle. When Jessica chose her calendar, she fell in love with it on the spot. We hadn’t been looking for a calendar but were at the garden centre where there was a display which caught her eye. I explained there was a picture behind each door and no chocolate but she still wanted it. She has been so good and hasn’t once asked for a chocolatey calendar. While I was shopping in Chelmsford a week or two ago, I opened the loyalty app from my phone provider to find I had a voucher for a free personalised advent calendar from Thorntons so I decided to get her one as a surprise. It was lovely to see the look of delight and surprise on her face. She still loves her tree calendar best though!
I made tea for me and Carl in our Christmassy mugs, and we are going to the farm for a story walk about Mary’s donkey this morning. After that we are going to go and buy our tree and decorate it. I am hoping to find a wreath for our door too.

Every year Christmas quest more magical as Jessica changes each year, and we have this to look forward to with Alice too. Sewing simple traditions into the fabric of our family life is the most beautiful thing for me. We’ve been getting these same mugs out for maybe ten years or more. They didn’t cost much, they were from one of those Christmas shops which spring up at this time of year…but out they come every December. I think that is the thing, we didn’t have a lot of money when we grew up but there was a lot of love and I was lucky enough to have a creative Mum, and I have so many happy memories. I love to think that we are making memories for our girls too.

Wherever you are, happy advent!

Love,

Mimi

Xxx