Our chaotic, yet perfect Family Christmas
Wow, Christmas was a whirlwind, wasn’t it? Was anyone else impressively organised, right up until that final week? Which, let me tell you felt like some sort of downhill spiral of last-minute panic stations! Filled with moments of sheer madness, running around making sure nothing was forgotten. But there has to be stage within the festive madness where you need to think to yourself – enough is enough! More so, by the ‘eve-eve‘ {which is a thing!} if you haven’t bought it, stuffed it or wrapped it – then forget about it!
The one day that we all build up in our minds literally goes by in the blink of an eye and then you find yourself sat, stuffed like the Christmas turkey and wondering where everything the kids got is going to go…
But in all fairness, all the rushing, build-up and whatever was hands-down, worth every moment. We did Christmas very different this year, much more low-key {on the present front} than previous years and do you know what? It was the best Christmas, ever! And I’m not just talking about the day itself! Oh no!
Changing the way we did Christmas gifting this year made for a much more relaxed December, that gave us much more time together as a family. Those are the moments you live for, the memories you aim to make and all of that soppy business, that’s normally not me! But it’s Christmas and needed saying!
We went down the snow slide on Donegal Place, Belfast
We toasted marshmallows at the Belfast Christmas Continental Market
So, how did we do Christmas gifting? Well, we decided to fill one sack each for the kids – filled with something to wear, read, watch, eat and so forth. It worked like an absolute charm and I am a little irked at myself for not doing it sooner!
I also put together a DIY advent, which I didn’t get around to sharing on the blog – perhaps I will do that for next Christmas. It was very popular with the kids and we did so much more together as a family, which was my aim all along! So that will be done again for next year – so I will have to get the thinking cap on for more festive activities and days out to do together.
Overall, the festive period was manic – which is something I am sure 99% of you can relate too! It involved many faces, hugs, magical experiences at Castlecourt, Christmas wishes, puppies, rabbits wearing Christmas hats, far too many roast potatoes and so much more. It was chaotic, but it was amazing.
We went to the amazing Beauty & the Beast Panto at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast
…and had our photo taken with the amazing cast!
We had our annual Dutch pancakes at the Christmas market!
Had the most magical experience at the Enchanted Winter Wonderland at Antrim Castle Gardens!
I made a shameful amount of epic hot chocolates!
The kids had a magical experience at Santas Post office {such a cute experience for them!}
The elves got up to copious amounts of mischief!
I mentioned rabbits wearing Christmas hats, right?
I made a pretty epic pavlova!
We read so many horrifically bad Christmas cracker jokes!
There was a cute puppy!
Then, of course, there was family! My gorgeously glorious family – whom I could not be more proud of! However, sidebar? I really need to make the effort to use my DSLR more in 2019!
I shared just a few snaps there {understatement} – if you made it this far, then I owe you a cookie! And also my thanks! I’d love to hear about your Christmas in the comments below – what you guys got up to? Any special festive trips you may have taken – let me know!
But for now, that’s it all over for another year. It goes by so incredibly fast, doesn’t it? But I couldn’t be happier with how we spent December as a family this year. Big high fives to us all for pulling it off!
Oh, one last thing, we were adopted by a cat – but more on that in another post…
Now, roll on 2019 – I’m ready for you!
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Sounds like the perfect Christmas to me – loving the look of the snow slides
What a busy Christmas you had and glad you spent it with family and friends
Looks like you had a great time. Love the family game night and a trip to the panto is a favourite of ours
Hahah this is exactly how I woudl describe ours too! Chaotic but perfect. Gorgeous photos and looks like you had an amazing time!
I think more and more people are doing the 4 rule gift giving, – Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Think I may be trying it out next year. I think the more presents they get, the less grateful they seem.
Looks like you had a lovely christmas. Its good to be busy I think!