This year I want to make Christmas magical for Esther and William.

It is the only way I am going to get through.

I either have to ignore it all together or make it the best it can possibly be.

I have always loved Christmas and have always wanted to make it wonderful for our children.

It is one thing that David and I do not really see eye to eye on.

He thinks we do not need all the fancy things and fuss.

And I am sure he is right

It would all be just as wonderful using old socks for stockings and keeping everything plain and simple

But there is something enchanting about planning the perfect Christmas

Choosing things to decorate your home

Buying things that can be used again and again year after year

That are personal to our children and to us as a family together

Maybe I am greedy and selfish I don’t know

But tonight I am indulging myself in a little virtual window shopping with GLTC

And I would like to share with you what my Christmas shopping list would be

Today it is my wish list of, if money were no object, lovely Christmas things.

Advent Calendar
I love advent. Throughout advent we watch something Christmassy on TV each day, read at least one new Christmas story, do one festive art or play activity and bake sweets and treats. I also love the idea of counting down to Christmas Eve. We do have an advent calendar already, a snowman one that I bought when I first started teaching for use in my classroom. I love this Away in the Manger advent calendar and feel that a knowledge of THE Christmas story and the true meaning of Christmas should be remembered throughout the season. I love this calendar and would love it to hang up in our playroom. Though if Esther and William had their way we would have this one and it would be hung up in their bedroom!

Personalised Stockings
We have stockings but they are not very big and they are very very old. I had them for years before I ever met David and I am sure that my parents had them for years before that. They are not easy to put things in and so you end up with one or two things in the stocking then other things put around the stocking, which is not really quite the same thing. I realise that these personalised stockings are expensive but once you have used them for six or so years, it works out at £5 a year which I think is rather good value. I think the reindeer is a lovely design and Esther and William are at an age when they will recognise the letters in their name. I also love that they are littered with stars for Tilda.

photo by Matt Lathan

Tilda Stars
Last year Tilda loved jingle bells. She would rattle her bells away whenever we sang the song. Whenever it comes on in the car Esther and William declare it to be Baby Tilda’s song. Stars and jingle bells will always be for her so this Jingle Bell Star is a winning combination for me. I would hang it in the window overlooking her garden.

I know these things are not essential for a merry Christmas but I think that over the years they could become the things we are excited to unpack and remember and reuse as we develop festive family traditions and fond fuzzy memories of Yuletide when our children were small.

Nothing I have loved about Christmas in times before can ever mean the same again.