Elfie and Hux’s Christmas

I never really knew the meaning of ‘real’ Christmas before the kids came along. And I mean that in the most literal sense, not in a sense that “ooh isn’t Christmas about the joy of kids”. I mean that because when I went to see Elfie as Mary in the pre-school Nativity play I’d realised that I’d forgotten the story, and that’s what Christmas is, right? About Jesus, Mary and the Three Kings. And according to Elfie, the “Gold, Crowns and Katy Perry”.

And when I took the kids to a lovely Christingle service on Christmas Eve with Bryony‘s family we all sang the carols together, it felt so warm and happy and festive. I’d forgotten anything that wasn’t to do with Mariah Carey, Slade or John Lewis and it felt good to remember. Elfie was terrified of the Christingle Candle and Hux ripped up the hymn sheets, but those little things are what make Christmas. Forget the presents, the happy moments with the family and friends are what it’s all about.

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Christmas Eve felt a little bit weird; it’s the first year Elfie has bought into the whole Father Christmas thing and she (as always) had SO MANY questions. I tried my best to answer them but I couldn’t help but feel a bit dishonest at all the fibs I had to make up. Is this a normal parent feeling? She wanted to know all of the what, why, where, how, who’s? about Santa Claus and I literally pulled a lot of those answers out of my arse. I definitely need to do a bit more research into the North Pole before next year.

At Elfie’s insistence we left out a glass of red and a bottle of beer along with two mince pies and a carrot for the reindeer. Apparently this all HAD to go on a tray, according to Elf the big FC is pretty discerning about these things.

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She toddled off to bed and then would not sleep. I’m telling myself this is a sign of intelligence but she worried and worried about the fact a strange man would be coming into our house so in the end (the end = 9.30pm) we had a chat and decided it’d be a good idea if the tray would be left outside for Father Christmas and he could just magic it inside along with the presents. Meanwhile I chugged the beer, chewed on the carrot, decanted the wine back into the bottle and took a bite out of the mince pie (bleurgh).

Fibbing to your kids is exhausting.

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Anyway, she finally went off to sleep and I hurridly put the presents out and went to bed myself.

For the first time in her life she didn’t wake up til 7 (I’d been lying awake for the best part of an hour) and bless her, when we first came downstairs she didn’t see the presents. She thought they’d be under the tree and as that was the first thing she saw when she came downstairs she said “oh…. he hasn’t been. Never mind”. When she saw the loot on the sofa she went slightly bonkers, and that was a theme for the rest of the day.

Turns out that 3 year olds, they just love to open presents.

IMG_1024 IMG_1026Once she started on that wrapping paper she didn’t stop. She opened her presents, my presents, Hux’s presents. She just loved the thrill of opening the presents. And why wouldn’t you?

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After present opening and a couple of Christmas Croissants at home we headed off to Mum and Dad’s house where there were – yep, you guessed it – even more presents (and Clementine Bucks Fizz)! Elfie’s favourite was the BabyBez watch and Hux’s was his toy kettle and new toothbrush. Oh, and the boxes, he loved those boxes. Me, I was very lucky with my loot this year and was given Clarins Spa Vouchers (yessss!!) as well as an Electric Toothbrush (wanted one for ages) and some Kiehl’s goodies. Though isn’t it funny how receiving the presents become of such little importance as you grow older? There, I said it, I’m no longer materialistic and only in it for the gifts. Who am I?

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Dinner was an epic Dad special: a rib of beef that had been hung for about 12 years (28 days) cooked for six hours at 60 degrees a la Heston Blumenthal. It was literally the most divine bit of beef I’d ever put in my mouth; it melted like butter and was absolutely beautiful. It was the first time we’d had beef for Christmas dinner and it was a lovely change. The recipe’s here if you fancy giving it a go for a special Sunday lunch, I’d highly recommend it.

IMG_1054 IMG_1057Pudding was Mum’s classic chocolate roulade, all washed down with lots of lovely wine (a 2011 Poilly Fusse and 2010 Louis Latour Pinot Noir). And of course, stacks of cheese, Christmas TV and the yuletide family tradition of pass the parcel.

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A huge shame, I was massively looking forward to the Call The Midwife and Downton Abbey specials but felt a bit bored by both of them. Was it because I was more interested in the Stilton and the leftover pudding? Did I spend too much time observing other people’s Christmases on Twitter rather than watching the TV? Meh. Maybe I should try watching them again.

IMG_1075Obviously I wasn’t particularly looking forward to Christmas day as a single, but you know what? The worst thing about the whole experience was the anticipation. We had an absolutely lovely day and all really enjoyed a quiet Christmas, just the five of us (at least I did… mum? Dad?). The kids had a blast too, which is the main thing.

Christmas was another hurdle to overcome and to enjoy it rather than just endure it was brilliant. There were no cross words, no sad feelings, nothing negative. Just lots of food, family and fun. If this is the shape of things to come in 2014, well, then I’m well ready for it.

Elfie’s beautiful dress was sent to us by the lovely people at Their Nibs

 

 

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15 Comments

  1. Glad you all enjoyed Christmas Alice and Happy New Year for tomorrow. I hope you have a happy 2014. Beautiful photos of your kiddies. x

    Posted 12.30.13 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Thank you lovely! I’m trying to take a leaf out of your book and take lots more photos xx

      Posted 12.31.13 Reply
  2. Carolyn wrote:

    I’ve so enjoyed your blog this year Alice and am really pleased to hear you had a good Christmas. Looking forward to reading about what 2014 has in store as it unfolds. And if you have any top tips on how to respond to those Santa questions, please do share them! Happy New Year x

    Posted 12.30.13 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Thank you Carolyn for such a lovely comment :) I’m no wiser re: what to say about Father Christmas but with two children interested in Christmas next year I’m definitely going to do more research into it! Happy New Year to you too x

      Posted 1.2.14 Reply
  3. Millie wrote:

    What a great post! Thanks for sharing A. I love your honesty – Christmas for us, is/has always been about The Nativity and church so it’s nice to read that you enjoyed your time at the Christingle service. I guest tweeted this Christmas week for @Bristol52 – check out our posts for Christingle.

    You’ve had a really tough time of late, and you are doing absolutely brilliantly! Hux & Elfie are a real credit to you, bravo to you.

    I wish you all the very best for 2014 & I hope you get a few more re-tweets from some ‘single’ bbc presenters.
    God bless xx

    Posted 12.30.13 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Thanks Millie! I haven’t been involved in the church since I was at school but it’s definitely something I’ll be doing with the Children next year, and possibly at Easter too. I think it’s important for them to know where these celebrations originated – they aren’t just about presents and chocolate!

      Thank you for your Twitter support this year :) x

      Posted 1.2.14 Reply
  4. Honest Mum wrote:

    A beautiful, cockle warming post my lovely and what a gorgeous day. So glad it was wonderful, Happy New Year! Just blogged about our Christmas too, has to be the happiest yet thanks to my two little people xx

    Posted 12.30.13 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Ooh just seen yours, how gorgeous was your dress?! Happy new year to you all xx

      Posted 12.31.13 Reply
  5. Margarita wrote:

    What a lovely Christmas! Your tree is beautiful!
    I also thought the Downton Abbey special was a bit of a let down, but I’ll be watching it again as well to see if I missed something.

    Posted 12.31.13 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      That’s actually my mum and dad’s tree… I don’t have the time to hand-cut out loads of Christmas doves ;)

      Thank you so much for our transatlantic Christmas card! I hope ours arrived in time x

      Posted 12.31.13 Reply
  6. Sharon wrote:

    You have got over so many hurdles this year, well done! Wishing you and the children a wonderful, love filled 2014!
    P.S. If you google PNP, you can make a video for Elfie and Hux for Christmas. It is a lovely site and the children love to hear from Santa that they have made the “nice” list.
    Love and hugs from one single Mum to another from Cape Town, South Africa. xx

    Posted 1.1.14 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Ooh that’s great, thanks Sharon! I’ll bookmark that for next year! x

      Posted 1.2.14 Reply
  7. From fun to mum wrote:

    Happy new year Alice! You are truly inspirational. I love following your blog and here is to a great 2014 xx

    Posted 1.1.14 Reply
    • alice wrote:

      Thank-you lovely! Here’s to finally having that dinner in 2014 xx

      Posted 1.2.14 Reply
  8. This is so positive and so beautiful! I’m really pleased that you had a great Christmas, you deserved it!

    Katie x
    http://www.missenchanting.co.uk/

    Posted 1.5.14 Reply