Can I start by saying I have literally bought
ZERO Christmas presents yet
(Claire’s are all wrapped…)
I will probably do it online in the next couple of days.
Nor have I put my tree up.
Probably at the weekend.
It will all get done,
it won’t be a rush –
so if you are panicking…
trust us.
No need.
S’all good.
These Santa notes made me laugh…
oh and this one is HILAR!
While the media is
so clever at persuading us all to spend a small
fortune at Christmas
and especially for our children…
Here’s 3 ideas that you might not have thought of
that will have brought so much more joy
than the Elsa doll whose head will come off
by January 5th….
(And the ‘My Friend Freddie’ which WILL give you a mild coronary when it talks to you in the middle of Boxing Night)
Or the phone they are arguably too young to need.
Sorry.
We’ve said it.
#1 A Couple of Goldfish
PROMISE!
Bear with us.
If you can secretly set up the aquarium
in the playroom
or EVEN their bedroom
(tricky but it can be done)
For them to ‘open’ in the morning with a note introducing them to their new owner.
They will LOVE IT!!!!!
This is why Goldfish are a PARTICULARLY cunning present for children:
* They are proven to CALM children and reduce anxiety – and WEIRDLY
improves their appetite
Watching a goldfish swimming gently actually can actually produce an almost meditative effect on the brain.
AND a Purdue Uni study found that watching goldfish improved appetite by 17%. Random but true.
* They are REALLY low maintenance
Change of water every now and then and food really.
* They teach children RESPONSIBILITY
An easy job, little sprinkle of food but EVERY DAY.
* They are a pretty nightlight
so really useful for reluctant sleepers
#2 Dressing Up Chest / Xmas Photo Booth
Ok this is cool – we did this.
So this is what you do:
You get a big, old chest –
I got one in TKMaxx inexpensively.
Think it was £8 in the sale – they always have these in.
Or use a toy box.
2nd Hand actually adds to the charm.
Trawl the charity shops/shout out to FB friends / search the loft,
and fill the box with hats, scarves, masks, spectacles, crazy shoes, walking sticks, wigs, snorkels, wedding dresses – the madder, the better,
THEN
Find a corner of a room you are all going to be in on Christmas Day.
The PHOTO BOOTH
Decorate it accordingly and get a BIG picture frame
(just the frame – no glass or backing)
And make a sign
“MUM’S FANCY DRESS PHOTO BOOTH”
For Camp Drama, hide behind a curtain, for a dramatic reveal but whatever you can manage…
Place a disposable or other camera in the wrapped dressing up box and tell the kiddlies they are in charge of the photos for Christmas Day.
Of course they get to keep the dressing up box afterwards and have fun adding to it throughout the year.
I started one YEARS ago and still I know if someone is looking for a certain fancy dress outfit. I will, in fact have it.
No end of FUN
Dress up
Stand behind the frame
And the photos are memories forever.
(especially if you print them out and put them in the frame with the glass!)
I am slightly allergic to the bright pink plastic wands and Frozen dresses… but if you already have that stuff, whack it in.
#3 FART Machine (sorry)
Sorry to put a silly one in there, but we have yet to meet a little boy who is not ENCHANTED by this.
Or any one of my daughters…
Swiss finishing school for them, then.
He/she can get all the pricey presents under the sun but THIS is what they will spend the day playing with …
Sorry, Auntie Sandra.
So YAY! Happy hunting.
And don’t forget – they want YOU.
The presents are pretty quickly forgotten but the memories of the games and the fun will stay with them forever!
Last thing….
Can we be Nags?
Please don’t spend more than you have
February is miserable enough as it is.
Lots of Love
xxxx
p.s. Last year’s Xmas frocks! They’ll need dusting off
this week!
#partyfrocks
#whatyouwearing