Category: Christmas

1. A Very Merry Christmas : The new survival guide

   Posted on 9:37pm Thursday 27th Dec 2012

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   Once upon a time, Christmas Day involved a mixture of a house full of people, a heaving fridge of food, a regimented timeframe, extensive menu, more than a few splashes of alcohol and a sprinkling of determination that everyone WOULD enjoy themselves. Fast forward ten years and 2012 has been a much more relaxed affair.

   Twelve months ago my eldest daughter was unwell, so unwell that we spent alot of the Christmas period in and out of hospital, so I wasn't feeling particularly festive or in any mood to celebrate. Presents were opened without enthusiasm and socialising was kept to a minimum, which was most unlike me - on both counts.

   So this year was about what we wanted to do. This isnt always the popular choice, especially as it is the most selfish one but I wanted Christmas to be about us. Not about catering for the masses, not about designing elaborate table decorations, not thinking about anyone else except my little family. I have a beautiful family and I am fortunate to have an amazing extended family, the kind that do actually like to all get together at Christmas, so me even suggesting that I didnt want to do that, was met with some surprise. Christmas is about family but this year I wanted it just about us.

   So that is what we did, although the 4.30am wake up was more what the 7 year old wanted, rather than me but the wrapping paper was flying, squeals of delight at toys and gifts off her Christmas list (again the 7 year old, not me) and momentarily reflecting on last year, made me realise how lucky I am to have two beautiful healthy children, a gorgeous man, a fabulous family and food in our tummies. The food may not have reached the table for the previously mentioned regimented timescale and I "may" have forgotten the obligatory sprouts but it was the Christmas dinner we wanted and I wouldnt have had it any other way. 

2. 5 of the Best Handmade Advent Calendars

   Posted on 10:49am Thursday 13th Dec 2012

   Carrying on with our advent theme (we just can't get enough of it), we are delighted to share another Advent guest post from one of our Lilypad friends.

   Advent calendars signal the beginning of Christmas festivities. It’s a sign to our children that they are merely days away from a shed load of presents. It’s difficult to pinpoint whether it’s the chocolates or the opening of the windows that triggers the most excitement.

   What we do know, however, is that advent calendars are an integral part of every kid’s Christmas. Sometimes an adult’s as well *cough cough*  They’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so why not mix things up a little for the kids by creating their very own handmade advent calendars.

   Below are 5 of the best handmade advent calendars that are sure to give a little inspiration to all who choose the crafty Christmas option. 

   Once you’ve finished the hard work, simply sit back and enjoy watching the kids open their advents. Then demand a back massage from the husband for all your endeavours.

   1. Blitzen’s Buckets

   25 miniature buckets, a set of numbered stickers or stencils, 25 hooks and a large chalkboard or reinforced cardboard are all that’s needed to make advent a little unique.

    

   It offers the option to fill the buckets with less than conventional goodies for the little ones.

   Because chocolates are so 2011.

   2. The Elf’s Envelopes

   This one is simple but very different. 25 envelopes, 25 pegs and a piece of string are all that’s needed to create this.

   

   You have the option to fill each envelope with something different. Perhaps one different figurine each day to complete a whole set by the 25^th day?

   3. Merry Matchboxes

   This one is pretty cool. To make it, all you’ll need is 25 matchboxes, some glue, a spare piece of wrapping paper cut to size and a pen. The rest is up to you. 

   

   It’s definitely something different that Susan up the road wouldn’t have thought of. The matchboxes are just the right size to slip in a chocolate coin or a sweety.

   4. Jingle Jars

   What a neat idea this is – again using matchboxes. Each of the 25 matchboxes is decorated in wrapping paper, filled with a small gift, numbered then placed into any kind of glass jar. A big brandy glass would probably do the job as well. 

   

   It’s almost like a lucky dip as the kids rummage around looking for the right numbered matchbox. Great fun to make and equally great fun for the kids.

   5. Tiny Tim’s Tree

   This is a little different. Using either a stripped back plant or one that’s already lost its leaves, simply hang decorative paper tags from the branches.

   

   Instead of attaching chocolates or other gifts to the tags (because of the weight), write a note on the back of each one which contains a clue as to where they will find a treat in the house.

    

   There are some brilliantly unique ideas there, but if you’ve got any other ideas we’d love you to share them in the comments box below.

   Hopefully together we can come up with enough ideas for every advent until a time when our kids have outgrown them. If you’re anything like me though, that won’t be anytime soon!

    

3. On the thirteenth day of Christmas ... oops no. The Advent Calendar!

   Posted on 8:57am Thursday 13th Dec 2012

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   The first 12 days of Christmas have been filled with amazing guest posts from some truly fabulous women but its back to business as usual now, well almost because its nearly Christmas. Squeeeeeeal!

   So we have celebrated Christmas on the Lilypad for the last 12 days and trust me we will continue to enjoy it way past the 25th but there are lots of competitions around to enter to keep you in the spirit of Christmas long after the decorations have been taken down.

   We are not promoting a December Lilypad competition and although we do love a good giveaway, we run enough of them over the year but at this time of year there are competitions on every website and serial compers entering them all. So unless you are a serial competition entrant, how do you choose which ones to enter? There is a general consensous that you shouldn't enter competitions unless you really want the prize, we know many dissapointed websites who have run competitions only to find that the entrants think the prizes "will sell well on Ebay" which isnt really the point is it?

   So you have more chances of winning the more you enter right? So what if you have the chance to win prizes every day until Christmas, now that sounds good to me. MyFamilyClub are presently running their Advent Competition which runs until the 24th December and they wanted me to share this with our fabulous Lilypad readers. There are genuinely some amazing gifts (although I think the years supply of Jelly Beans on the 10th December may have been my personal favourite) but with different prizes every day, there has to be something for everyone.

   A competition prize is something that you may wish for but dont really ever anticipate getting. A little like an unexpected Gift this Christmas.

    

4. On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me ...

   Posted on 8:56am Wednesday 12th Dec 2012

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   On the 12^th day of Christmas … we have a somewhat poignant post from It started with a squish.

   Well, I know at Christmas I should be talking about all the merriment and delightful goings on which happen around this time of year. But, for many it’s also a time which reminds us of those who aren’t here to share these special holidays.

   As some of you know, this year I lost my dear nanna and this will be our first Christmas without her. It’s so true that you don’t know what you have until they are gone and it’s sad you can’t genuinely convey how true this is unless you have lost someone yourself. So for me, this Christmas I can’t help think about the silly presents I won’t receive from her that I know she so lovingly and thoughtfully bought every year from the local markets. I can’t help think about not ever seeing my mums face when she gets given a dancing reindeer/Santa/snowman from her. I can’t help but stare at the chair at my parents she would always sit in doing her crosswords whilst smiling at Squish who would usually be running about like a mental case. I can’t help but feel like a piece of the magic is missing.

   Although I am going to be very sad about all the things I will miss about my nanna, I’m also very thankful about the times we shared. I know a lot of people this time of year are probably going through the same thing so this post goes out to everyone who has that empty spot at the table for Christmas dinner this year. I raise a glass you and those loved ones who are gone but not forgotten.

   “Love is never lost. If not reciprocated, it will flow back and soften and purify the heart.”

   (A quote from Washington Irving)