I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas in these (covid) circumstances. We never thought we’d have a Christmas where it wasn’t allowed to see family. I always say Christmas is about family, so it was a strange one but of course we still wanted it to be a happy one for the kids so we did have a lovely- if different – time. Here are some phone snapshots of the day. I didn’t even take my camera out this year, I was determined to take time off and spend time “properly” with the kids, just taking some candid (which usually means dark and blurry photos in my case sorry!) photos for memories:
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve should have been the crib service. Instead, at home joined in the Worldwide Santa’s Christmas Eve Jingle. We always ring bells at Christmas Eve while we sprinkle our reindeer food but it was or first “doorstep jingle”!
Sprinkling (all-natural and eco-friendly- don’t worry!) reindeer food. Caitlyn got carried away and covered me in it but it made a good photo! I had to shower so the reindeer didn’t mistake me for food!
The girls enjoyed the doorstep jingle. Sadly we didn’t see or hear anyone else join in near us but it was good to know that all over other people were joining in too (including Nanny, Aunty Jo Jo, Cerys and Aunty Ceri).
So I did break my natural photo rule and “made” the whole tribe join in for a family photo so we could wish our friends and family a Merry Christmas. They will be grateful for these photos one day…
After a delicious Christmas Eve party tea it was time to open the first presents under the tree- the Christmas Eve pyjamas!
No matching or Christmas PJs for us but we chose ones we knew they’d love.
Christmas Day
The magic of Christmas is it somehow all comes together. This year I’ve not been able to go into shops, online shopping has been difficult with low stock and slow postage, we couldn’t make solid plans as rules changed due to Covid-19 and we couldn’t see family…everyone (okay the media!) kept reporting that Christmas was cancelled. Every time I saw that headline my stomach dropped and I admit that I really felt on times that we were not having Christmas this year.
But, it happened. We woke up on Christmas day and “he’d been!” Santa had been. The mince pies had both been devoured and the wine swigged. The reindeer had nibbled away most of the huge carrot the kids had left out. The sacks were filled and the room was full of presents. It felt special as always. The magic rituals were there as always to guide us through.
The kids opened some of their presents and then took a break to get dressed and have breakfast and to take in what they’d received so far.
As always on Christmas morning, we went to the cemetery to see Dad. We saw Mum, Jo and Cerys but couldn’t hug them which was hard on such a tearful morning.
Dad- so loved and always remembered. This year was also our first Christmas without Great Grampy. We knew from when he died that Christmas wouldn’t be the same this year, but we didn’t expect it to be so different. We popped to his grave Christmas Eve and in future years we’ll do this as we attend the crib service (at the same church).
As we couldn’t visit family this year we just went (social distanced) to drop off and collect presents. It was lovely to see our family outdoors briefly but not the same, of course. We also had to pick up food from my mum as she had lots from before the rules were tightened just before Christmas. Ceri and Lexy also couldn’t travel down from Newport.
Strangely, it’s the first year we’ve ever spent Christmas at home. This did make it nice and special in a way but also sad because of the reasons we couldn’t meet up.
A wine bottle stopper is possible the most useful of cracker gifts! We had fun at the dinner table telling our jokes and riddles and had a delicious Christmas dinner- thanks so much Mum!
In the evening we watched some Christmas TV and played games. Here is Rebecca playing Charades, which resulted in lots of giggles. We’ve also been playing quizzes, riddles and Monopoly.
Sid has loved having everyone home ALL the time and can be mostly found snuggled up under a quilt with a different member of the family each time. He loves his cuddles.
Boxing Day
Not the prettiest photo but I love mash potato, cold (vegan- ha!) meats and pickles. Again on Boxing Day, we watched Christmas TV (as I haven’t been to any shops I didn’t get a copy of the Christmas Radio Times this year so have missed that!), played games, read new books and chilled- for the first time ever over Christmas I had a nice long nap!
We had a Facetime with Jo and Mum and Ceri and Lexy.
We played more Ms. Monopoly…
Showing how much Sid loves snuggling up with us- I was laying down against the back of the sofa reading my book and he managed to somehow squeeze in between the sofa and my body. He does make a lovely back warmer!
The Day After Boxing Day (“What day is it again?) …
So usually I stay in full Christmas mode between Christmas and New Years. This year, I woke up on the day after Boxing Day with my body craving water, salads and a workout. I don’t know if this is due to getting older or Covid but I went with it. Dave felt like “normal foods” too so made a lovely curry for tea.
So far over Christmas, I’ve read “So Lucky” by Dawn O’Porter, “Becoming” by Michelle Obama, “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama and I’m now halfway through “Haven’t They Grown?” by Sophie Hannah. Overall this year I’ve read far fewer books than usual as I’ve felt too worried and upset so I’m glad I have my reading mojo back! These Marzipan Bites are delicious by the way, I got them from Gran for Christmas! Reading at Christmas time is one of my favourite things to do (well all year round really!) but one of my favourite memories as a child after the hustle and bustle of a busy family Christmas day was going down to my bedroom, resting my back against the warm radiator and reading my new book or annual while chomping through a Cadbury selection box!
I hope you all had a good Christmas as can be- lots of love all xxx
