A little bit of Christmas Sparkle!

I bloody love Christmas!

There I said it! It’s out, I can hold it in no more!

I started buying Christmas magazines way back in late September early October when they first appeared in the shops. And, yes I am guilty of watching a Christmas film or two (even in the summer!). And, yes I have already consumed my weight in nuts, and I am still loving Christmas! I haven’t peaked (Yet), and I’m feeling all jolly and happy about the forthcoming event. Christmas is so evocative, the smell of spices in the air, the twinkle of fairy lights, or the sound of Christmas tunes playing (even if it’s Mariah Carey on repeat!), it’s just a lovely time of the year for me.

I have something lined up for Christmas that I can’t talk about yet, but I’m super excited about it. I’m just bursting to share it but want to keep it under wraps a bit longer as it’s a surprise for hubby!

Decor this year?

What are we going to do this year in our house? The kids already have plans for their trees – although they will need to sort their rooms out first otherwise there will be nowhere for the trees to go (their rooms are not tidy and I can’t get to the bed in one room there’s so much strewn all over the floor!), I wonder if there may be a “Christmas miracle” that will clear the floors. There’s always the “decorating disaster” potential of a kid’s room tree and the fact that I find baubles six months later, but it’s kids and kids do what they do and don’t have to worry about it being picture perfect, just their kind of perfect.

I never worry myself about a theme for their trees, they can do what they want on theirs, it’s the big family tree(s) I like to make sure are all nice and coordinated. I will confess to being a more is more person! Which is good because Maximalist is in this year! Also ‘in’ this year you’ll find Vintage, bold colours, and nature. I’ll have all of them please and on one tree 😁

I may have spent a little bit on additional Christmassy ornaments and decor again this year, just to add to my husband’s frustration. I get the eye roll every year. The garage is full, the loft is full and so is the storage under our bed! I’m running out of places to put things. I have had a big sort out too. I can’t help it I have an addiction 🤷‍♀️

I am not planning on spending a lot on gifts this year either. I would like to put it towards an ‘experience’ rather than plastic tat or more tech. I think the kids would love the memories made rather than something that will be a passing phase. We have talked about doing a trip to Paris with the kids early next year so if I minimise spending on gifts then I can do a really nice few days away as a family and make it amazing for the kids. Something I think they will remember for much longer, a stroll down a charming Paris street or a cosy café moment. Perhaps a romantic moment with the hubby… one can but dream.

Splashing out on anything exoctic foodwise?

No. Keeping it simple as always! Christmas food will be the usual fayre, probably not turkey though this year – have you seen the prices! We don’t really like turkey we only have it because it’s a tradition. I’ve decided to forgo that bit of tradition this year and just stick with a chicken, at least we will all eat it. As always we will have a mountain of pigs in blankets, roasties and stuffing balls.

I always dream of the perfect tablescape, with perfect linen, neatly arranged napkins, pretty decor and steaming food served in delightful dishes. The reality is far from my dream! We don’t have the largest of tables and often find that I need to plate up before and just have the essentials (condiments if you will, along with gravy) out on the table. any leftover food just gets plonked in a dish and placed on the table for a free for all of who can get the roasties left first! My daughter has a big love for her dad’s special roast potatoes and won’t even look at mine if I do them so it’s very much a team thing here in our house.

Gift shopping

I confess I haven’t bought anything yet. Yep, we are midway through November and I still haven’t even bought one present. I did just post about an eco friendly Christmas Gift List so I think I might just need to have a look at that and get some ideas, you can find it here if you missed it. It’s always difficult to get gifts, the kids are easy, but as we get older it’s much harder. I have most things I need and I have a lot of stuff I don’t need and what I want is expensive so I’m happy with a book or two to read or a few craft supplies. But for others, that’s a whole different ball game. My mum and dad are happy with what they have, they like well made quality items but have regular clear outs and like to live minimally (to a point! My dad doesn’t have much indoors but boy does he have a lot of junk in his sheds!). So I like to stick to simple useful stuff they would use and of course a food hamper is always welcome there! Hubby is more difficult to buy for as he just doesn’t like ‘stuff’, he likes fishing as a hobby but I can’t really buy him anything to do with that as I haven’t a clue what he wants or needs and he likes to buy his own. I will probably get him some posh nosh (chocolate!) and some Eau De Toilette if I can find the one he likes – off to Dior I think.

As we age we already have a lot of what we want and often a lot of what we don’t want. We are becoming more environmentally conscious and with the dream of Insta perfect homes anything extra that may or may not fit into our lives is often seen as a hindrance and not good for the environment. So I will definitely need to consider what I buy carefully this year.

Elf on the shelf anyone?

I confess I do not like Elf on the Shelf and in the past have managed to avoid the troublesome little monster. This year, I’m not so lucky! Thanks to Nanny and Grandad, we have Elves! One arrived with my daughter after a day out with the grandparents and then my daughter said that her brother would be left out and can we get one for him so her elf would have a friend to play with.

I’m going to have to wrap them up in sellotape or something – bah humbug!

This year will be exactly as the last one and the ones prior to that when it comes to kids and the excitement of Christmas. I have managed to tame them slightly, and we now actually get to open stockings together rather than them wake up at the crack of dawn opening theirs! They have grown out of the stage where they open their presents in a flurry of paper and screams before I’ve managed to even make a cuppa, only the flurry of paper and gasps happen these days. They do at least allow me to have that very much needed wake up cuppa!

How would I sum up Christmas?

Well, Christmas is messy, magical, and downright wonderful. It’s a season of twinkling lights, indulgent food, and cherished traditions—whether that’s decorating maximalist trees, navigating gift-giving conundrums, or, yes, dealing with those pesky Elves on the Shelf!

At the heart of it all, though, is family, love, and creating memories that last a lifetime (even if it’s just bickering over who gets the last roastie!). For me, Christmas is about embracing the imperfections, laughing at the chaos, and soaking up those fleeting moments of joy.

Whatever your plans or traditions this year, I hope they bring you comfort, magic, and a sprinkling of festive cheer. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always chocolate, fairy lights, and a Christmas film (or three).

Merry Christmas from my overly decorated home to yours! 🎄✨

Take care, stay safe.

Becks Xo