I began my preparations way back in August, when “normal” people were jetting away on their holidays. I’m not completely crackers though (see what I did there), but, with one full wage, a maternity wage, saving a deposit for a house and raising a baby, this was the only way I could ensure we would be ready for Christmas.
Firstly, I purchased both James’ and my family’s presents, getting some great deals in the end of summer sales meaning I didn’t need to sacrifice the quality of presents to fit my budget. I have also been buying presents for Riley each month needless to say, the underneath of his cot and our bed are crammed with toys and we still haven’t been out shopping together to buy presents!
Presents aren’t what it’s all about though and although Riley is not old enough to understand what is going on I still want to create a magical first Christmas, what parent doesn’t? I recently ordered a letter from Santa from the NSPCC website, http://christmas.nspcc.org.uk/santa. I thought it would be lovely so that when he is older, and does understand, he will be able to see that Santa has written to him every year since his first Christmas. I would highly recommend the NSPCC letter from Santa. Of all the letters I looked in to buying, including various sites who specialise in letters from Santa and Toys R Us, the NSPCC letter was the only one that had options for a special, baby’s first Christmas letter and by choosing this one all the funds raised go to a great cause. This letter can be purchased for a suggested donation of £5
NSPCC leaflet.
I have also purchased a personalised Santa please stop here sign - £6.99 from Studio Cards, http://www.24studio.co.uk/ss/index.jsp and a lovely Santa sack from sacks ‘n’ stories, http://www.sacks-n-stories.co.uk/santa-sacks-2-w.asp. Jan, who handcrafts these, makes personalised Santa sacks from all kinds of different fabrics and in a variety of different colours etc. The sack I ordered cost £22 (inclusive of postage) and I intend to get a tag to write Riley’s name and address on it … How else would Santa know whose sack is whose in that big ole sleigh? We have also decided that a few presents will be from mummy and daddy.
Santa Please Stop here sign to go outside.
Riley's personalised Santa sack. Because it's not babyish,
we can keep this for years to come.
Riley will be sending out his own personalised Christmas cards. I got these from poundland, £1 for 6. You simply put a picture inside the frame, ta-dah! Mamas and Papas sell similar cards, which are priced at £4 for 8, http://www.mamasandpapas.com/product-christmas-gift-cards/481101904/type-i/. I do still need to purchase an outfit, take his picture and get them developed though … hmmm maybe I’m not that organised.
Each pack has two designs.
What I’m most excited about is that we will be able to start our own little family traditions, things that will be with us in years to come. This is something we have already discussed, and debated; important things like what to leave out for Santa on Christmas Eve. I like the idea of wrapping up a nice new pair of special pyjamas to open on Christmas Eve, and have seen a multitude of Christmasy pyjamas to suit all budgets.
I did attempt to make us each our own stocking, an attempt that failed miserably when I stitched the top of the first stocking shut! I have since purchased plain ready-made stockings and will just personalise them myself.
Writing this post has actually got me panicking a bit when I think of all the things I have left to do; dig out the decorations for tree choosing and decorating day on Saturday, make my Christmas crackers (I did say I was going a bit OTT this year), get a recipe for eggnog, find a ginger bread house, or two, write my Christmas cards, wrap some more presents (I could have my own branch of Clintons cards with the amount and variety of wrapping paper I have) and finish my shopping off. How prepared are you?
24 days to go …
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