Thanks for a lovely piece of writing. We’ve been thinking about ways to enjoy the time more, so less and have more fun over the holidays.
My partner and I have been spending a lot of time in charity shops seeking out books, games and toys for our children. This has felt wonderful. It’s been a lovely thing to do together and has also meant that we haven’t spent very much and anything that doesn’t get used can simply go back to the charity shop.
I’ve also decided that Christmas lunch will just have the essential parts. I’ve hosted twice and always made so many things. The plates and table are overwhelmed. So using the minimalist principle of less but better.
Thanks for your lovely comment Hannah - I love the changes you are making, such a good idea with the charity shops too and totally makes sense to cook less too. I've found that half my day is spent in the kitchen, which is not where I want to be! Less but better sounds like a great plan. Will you do a traditional turkey dinner? What's been your favourite find in the charity shops so far?
The last three years we’ve stopped buying all the things and it’s been nice.
We had this one year where our garage was just so full of cardboard and plastic that it took weeks to get it all away in the recycling bin and I was just done.
We buy most of our things from Vinted now and the presents tend to be things they need. This year they’ve got new to them wetsuits.
The things I love are
🍂making their advent calendars every year - this year my 3 year old gets a magnetic tile every day and my 9 year old gets a Pokémon card ❤️
🍂going to our local farm to choose a tree and using my husband as the measuring tape for which ones are too big 😂 the tree can be slightly taller than him but not so tall he can’t reach the top, or it won’t fit in our house!
🍂baking Christmas cakes in October and feeding and decorating them
🍂making gingerbread decorations
🍂walking round the river and seeing Durham cathedral on Christmas day ❤️
This year we’ve just tried dried oranges and it takes ten million years but also it makes your house smell really nice!
It's so good to hear how you've been buying less for the last 3 years, and great idea to get things from Vinted too and things that they actually need. At least you know they'll actually use those things too.
What a fab idea for making advent calendars too - (my 6yo is currently obsessed with Pokemon cards and there's a group of them that trade their cards every day after school, they are like little wheeler dealers, so funny!)
No tape measure needed when you've got your husband!
Love the Xmas baking too, there's something so comforting about the smell of those lovely Christmas spices like cinnamon and ginger.
And a walk on Christmas Day, breaks up the day otherwise things can get a bit fraught (to say the least!!).
I've never tried dried oranges, did you do them in the oven? Just bought an air fryer and it's got a dehydrator function so want to give that a go. Also love whole oranges stuffed with cloves, they make the house smell nice too.
Thanks for sharing all of your lovely Xmas traditions, you've inspired me!
I have been thinking/talking about this a lot recently... and have been really tuning into the energy I want to bring into our home and family over Christmas. Yes excitement and wonder... but also slowing down and embracing the season, warming foods and cosy afternoons in, I love a Christmas movie and we already watched one!! I want to create a new tradition this year of Christmas pjs and a puzzle on Christmas Eve, and also taking a trip to London to look at the lights as we used to do that as kids and I loved it! We always go to the same tree place all together which I love. This year we haven’t booked a Santa visit or anything but I am going to take Sophia to all the local school Christmas fairs and honestly I think she will love that just as much as a big Father Christmas visit! I felt very disconnected to it last year as V was born on 28th December so honestly I’m just happy to not be as uncomfortably pregnant this year! I think being intentional about it all, especially when it is a very tender time, is so important. I love how you bring in your values to help you align to it. Xx
Thanks for your lovely comment Lauren, I love the balance of the excitement and wonder, as well as slowing down and embracing the seasons. Cosy afternoons in too, my favourite! What's your favourite Christmas film? Love the pjs and puzzle on Xmas eve and the trip to London too.
You are right, they love the school Christmas fairs - the kids have theirs tomorrow, waiting to see what random things we bring home from the stalls - usually a load of cuddly toys! I never book any Santa visits, mainly because I'm not organised enough to book Christmas things in August to get ahead of the queues!! Oh wow, not long until your youngest turns 1, lots of celebrations ahead. Yes, I can imagine Christmas for you last year was a totally different experience too. Working out our values and what really matters is so helpful isn't it.
Ooooh hard to say on the Christmas film... for myself I am a bit of a Holiday and Love Actually girl! I also can’t resist Elf... but now with Sophia we have sat and watched The Snowman and The Snowdog together and it’s so lovely!
I hope you had so much fun at the school fayres xx
Can't beat Love Actually, I used to play that soundtrack on repeat back in the day. The Snowman and the Snowdog is so lovely, will have to watch that one again. We watched Jingle All the Way on the weekend, load of rubbish but kids enjoyed it! The kids enjoyed the school fayre, especially the soft toy tombola, I'm always surprised by how much my 9 year old loves her cuddlies! Hope you had a lovely weekend xx
Sounds fun! I am fully expecting soft toys for the win this weekend at our local fayre. We did have a lovely weekend and went to our local light switching in last night which was fun xx
This is a lovely piece Jenna, I really resonate with the whole christmas adding to the mental load and I too have a fraught relationship with this time of year. The stress and intensity of it is something I dread and it feels like it starts sooner and sooner each year. I feel in denial this year that it is even coming at all as we are going to Ireland to family so I am “outsourcing” a lot of Christmas Control (which is to say maybe less stressful maybe more) and I actually have to sort everything 10 days earlier and I haven’t even started!!?
I think I too brace myself with this time of year. I hated it growing up and since having children or even meeting my partner I have tried really hard to see it in a different light and it is better but it is still a lot isn’t it? I still find it a lot.
Anyway just wanted to say solidarity to those feelings. ❤️
Thank you for your lovely comment Kylie-Ann. I am so glad you relate - I sometimes feel like the only one who isn't a fan of Christmas (to put it mildly!). Yes, I agree, it does seem to start sooner each year. I know what you mean about being in denial too, how are you feeling about having Christmas away? I've barely started too, unless buying 1 squishmallow counts?!
I feel exactly the same, I try to enjoy it because of the kids and it is lovely to see them so happy, but I can't shake those sad memories too. My mum also hates Christmas with a passion, and she spends Christmas Day with us, so that feels extremely draining on top of everything else too. I appreciate your solidarity, it's made me breathe a sigh of relief. xx
I am glad there is someone else! ❤️ I am a little less daunted by Christmas than I used to be. There is much to look forward to this year in spending it in Ireland with “mother in law”. The last time we went over was last Christmas and we had a lovely time. A few little breaks for us the kids loved playing with cousins. It’s less lonely over there. I still find it personally a bit meh the whole presents big day and build up etc but these things are ingrained in us like you say the sad times get you however much you try to be the fun happy mum for the kids etc.
I am trying to see the positives etc frame it differently, but I’d be tempted to cancel it if we could! Although still with the going away because even though it is a lot to organise and a lot of effort to get there, it is worth it when we are there! Solidarity on the parent front too. I wonder if much of my anxiety comes from my own mother but these days my parents do their own thing and it’s very unchristmassy at home. Which perhaps is a good thing, if they find that easier. It’s just not an easy time of year generally and some people are better at pasting on a smile than others I think. ❤️
I hope you guys have a lovely Xmas over in Ireland, and it's lovely for the kids to see their cousins too, plus getting a little break too. I know what you mean about cancelling it if you could too!! Gosh yes, the getting ready and organising is a lot isn't it. You are right, Xmas brings up big emotions for everyone. I think I feel that responsibility to make it a happy time for my mum too, but I need to take that pressure off myself. Appreciate your thoughtful comment Kylie-Ann xx
I loved reading this, I am doing a talk on a very similar subject in a couple of weeks time about tricky behaviours in children and how this can be challenging during the Christmas period, and talking about some of the same points - simplifying Christmas, expectation, family rituals (which may look very different to other peoples!!) I have always had kindness and helping others as part of my family Christmas tradition since becoming an adult and it is something my son is now really involved with too which is so lovely, and have also pushed back against the trend of more and more Christmas gifts - at it can be really hard can't it to not get pulled back into the flow of should we give more, is it enough, will he feel hard done by compared to others with mountains of gifts, but no actually he doesn't and he is learning the importance of mindful consuming, and connection! I loved reading this today in my tea break, thank you!
Thank you for your lovely comment Caroline. That's so interesting about your talk and the points in it too, the expectation bit especially - our expectations, the kids expectations, society's expectations and expectations of the rest of the family - phewf it's a lot!!
That's so lovely about the kindness and helping others as part of your Christmas traditions too, and that your son enjoys it too. I think it's important for the kids to see the wider meaning of Christmas too - I'm not religious at all, but to me it means giving back to others so I'd like the kids to be part of that too. That's so good to hear that your son has been ok with less too, it's given me confidence to reduce the amount of presents for my kids too!
Thanks for a lovely piece of writing. We’ve been thinking about ways to enjoy the time more, so less and have more fun over the holidays.
My partner and I have been spending a lot of time in charity shops seeking out books, games and toys for our children. This has felt wonderful. It’s been a lovely thing to do together and has also meant that we haven’t spent very much and anything that doesn’t get used can simply go back to the charity shop.
I’ve also decided that Christmas lunch will just have the essential parts. I’ve hosted twice and always made so many things. The plates and table are overwhelmed. So using the minimalist principle of less but better.
Thanks for your lovely comment Hannah - I love the changes you are making, such a good idea with the charity shops too and totally makes sense to cook less too. I've found that half my day is spent in the kitchen, which is not where I want to be! Less but better sounds like a great plan. Will you do a traditional turkey dinner? What's been your favourite find in the charity shops so far?
I love this ❤️
The last three years we’ve stopped buying all the things and it’s been nice.
We had this one year where our garage was just so full of cardboard and plastic that it took weeks to get it all away in the recycling bin and I was just done.
We buy most of our things from Vinted now and the presents tend to be things they need. This year they’ve got new to them wetsuits.
The things I love are
🍂making their advent calendars every year - this year my 3 year old gets a magnetic tile every day and my 9 year old gets a Pokémon card ❤️
🍂going to our local farm to choose a tree and using my husband as the measuring tape for which ones are too big 😂 the tree can be slightly taller than him but not so tall he can’t reach the top, or it won’t fit in our house!
🍂baking Christmas cakes in October and feeding and decorating them
🍂making gingerbread decorations
🍂walking round the river and seeing Durham cathedral on Christmas day ❤️
This year we’ve just tried dried oranges and it takes ten million years but also it makes your house smell really nice!
Thank you for your lovely comment Zoe.
It's so good to hear how you've been buying less for the last 3 years, and great idea to get things from Vinted too and things that they actually need. At least you know they'll actually use those things too.
What a fab idea for making advent calendars too - (my 6yo is currently obsessed with Pokemon cards and there's a group of them that trade their cards every day after school, they are like little wheeler dealers, so funny!)
No tape measure needed when you've got your husband!
Love the Xmas baking too, there's something so comforting about the smell of those lovely Christmas spices like cinnamon and ginger.
And a walk on Christmas Day, breaks up the day otherwise things can get a bit fraught (to say the least!!).
I've never tried dried oranges, did you do them in the oven? Just bought an air fryer and it's got a dehydrator function so want to give that a go. Also love whole oranges stuffed with cloves, they make the house smell nice too.
Thanks for sharing all of your lovely Xmas traditions, you've inspired me!
I have been thinking/talking about this a lot recently... and have been really tuning into the energy I want to bring into our home and family over Christmas. Yes excitement and wonder... but also slowing down and embracing the season, warming foods and cosy afternoons in, I love a Christmas movie and we already watched one!! I want to create a new tradition this year of Christmas pjs and a puzzle on Christmas Eve, and also taking a trip to London to look at the lights as we used to do that as kids and I loved it! We always go to the same tree place all together which I love. This year we haven’t booked a Santa visit or anything but I am going to take Sophia to all the local school Christmas fairs and honestly I think she will love that just as much as a big Father Christmas visit! I felt very disconnected to it last year as V was born on 28th December so honestly I’m just happy to not be as uncomfortably pregnant this year! I think being intentional about it all, especially when it is a very tender time, is so important. I love how you bring in your values to help you align to it. Xx
Thanks for your lovely comment Lauren, I love the balance of the excitement and wonder, as well as slowing down and embracing the seasons. Cosy afternoons in too, my favourite! What's your favourite Christmas film? Love the pjs and puzzle on Xmas eve and the trip to London too.
You are right, they love the school Christmas fairs - the kids have theirs tomorrow, waiting to see what random things we bring home from the stalls - usually a load of cuddly toys! I never book any Santa visits, mainly because I'm not organised enough to book Christmas things in August to get ahead of the queues!! Oh wow, not long until your youngest turns 1, lots of celebrations ahead. Yes, I can imagine Christmas for you last year was a totally different experience too. Working out our values and what really matters is so helpful isn't it.
Ooooh hard to say on the Christmas film... for myself I am a bit of a Holiday and Love Actually girl! I also can’t resist Elf... but now with Sophia we have sat and watched The Snowman and The Snowdog together and it’s so lovely!
I hope you had so much fun at the school fayres xx
Can't beat Love Actually, I used to play that soundtrack on repeat back in the day. The Snowman and the Snowdog is so lovely, will have to watch that one again. We watched Jingle All the Way on the weekend, load of rubbish but kids enjoyed it! The kids enjoyed the school fayre, especially the soft toy tombola, I'm always surprised by how much my 9 year old loves her cuddlies! Hope you had a lovely weekend xx
Sounds fun! I am fully expecting soft toys for the win this weekend at our local fayre. We did have a lovely weekend and went to our local light switching in last night which was fun xx
A few more to add to the collection! Aw that sounds lovely, hope you all enjoyed ❤️
This is a lovely piece Jenna, I really resonate with the whole christmas adding to the mental load and I too have a fraught relationship with this time of year. The stress and intensity of it is something I dread and it feels like it starts sooner and sooner each year. I feel in denial this year that it is even coming at all as we are going to Ireland to family so I am “outsourcing” a lot of Christmas Control (which is to say maybe less stressful maybe more) and I actually have to sort everything 10 days earlier and I haven’t even started!!?
I think I too brace myself with this time of year. I hated it growing up and since having children or even meeting my partner I have tried really hard to see it in a different light and it is better but it is still a lot isn’t it? I still find it a lot.
Anyway just wanted to say solidarity to those feelings. ❤️
Thank you for your lovely comment Kylie-Ann. I am so glad you relate - I sometimes feel like the only one who isn't a fan of Christmas (to put it mildly!). Yes, I agree, it does seem to start sooner each year. I know what you mean about being in denial too, how are you feeling about having Christmas away? I've barely started too, unless buying 1 squishmallow counts?!
I feel exactly the same, I try to enjoy it because of the kids and it is lovely to see them so happy, but I can't shake those sad memories too. My mum also hates Christmas with a passion, and she spends Christmas Day with us, so that feels extremely draining on top of everything else too. I appreciate your solidarity, it's made me breathe a sigh of relief. xx
I am glad there is someone else! ❤️ I am a little less daunted by Christmas than I used to be. There is much to look forward to this year in spending it in Ireland with “mother in law”. The last time we went over was last Christmas and we had a lovely time. A few little breaks for us the kids loved playing with cousins. It’s less lonely over there. I still find it personally a bit meh the whole presents big day and build up etc but these things are ingrained in us like you say the sad times get you however much you try to be the fun happy mum for the kids etc.
I am trying to see the positives etc frame it differently, but I’d be tempted to cancel it if we could! Although still with the going away because even though it is a lot to organise and a lot of effort to get there, it is worth it when we are there! Solidarity on the parent front too. I wonder if much of my anxiety comes from my own mother but these days my parents do their own thing and it’s very unchristmassy at home. Which perhaps is a good thing, if they find that easier. It’s just not an easy time of year generally and some people are better at pasting on a smile than others I think. ❤️
I hope you guys have a lovely Xmas over in Ireland, and it's lovely for the kids to see their cousins too, plus getting a little break too. I know what you mean about cancelling it if you could too!! Gosh yes, the getting ready and organising is a lot isn't it. You are right, Xmas brings up big emotions for everyone. I think I feel that responsibility to make it a happy time for my mum too, but I need to take that pressure off myself. Appreciate your thoughtful comment Kylie-Ann xx
I loved reading this, I am doing a talk on a very similar subject in a couple of weeks time about tricky behaviours in children and how this can be challenging during the Christmas period, and talking about some of the same points - simplifying Christmas, expectation, family rituals (which may look very different to other peoples!!) I have always had kindness and helping others as part of my family Christmas tradition since becoming an adult and it is something my son is now really involved with too which is so lovely, and have also pushed back against the trend of more and more Christmas gifts - at it can be really hard can't it to not get pulled back into the flow of should we give more, is it enough, will he feel hard done by compared to others with mountains of gifts, but no actually he doesn't and he is learning the importance of mindful consuming, and connection! I loved reading this today in my tea break, thank you!
Thank you for your lovely comment Caroline. That's so interesting about your talk and the points in it too, the expectation bit especially - our expectations, the kids expectations, society's expectations and expectations of the rest of the family - phewf it's a lot!!
That's so lovely about the kindness and helping others as part of your Christmas traditions too, and that your son enjoys it too. I think it's important for the kids to see the wider meaning of Christmas too - I'm not religious at all, but to me it means giving back to others so I'd like the kids to be part of that too. That's so good to hear that your son has been ok with less too, it's given me confidence to reduce the amount of presents for my kids too!