The Festive Season

The festive season is in full swing now and it's only 2 weeks until Christmas!

* Christmas Cards *

I put on some Christmas music, a Santa hat and got out my red and white snowflake pen (from Kikki.K) and wrote out Christmas cards for our families.  I think next year I may do a photo card and newsletter to mark our 5th Christmas in NZ.

* Tree and Decorations *

We brought out the bags and boxes of Christmas decorations and, again with Christmas music in the background, put up the tree and decorated it and the house.  I had great fun pinning up some extra baubles and bits of ribbon in my hallway to make it look festive.  I was hoping to find a nice garland for my stairs but haven't come across one just yet.  I'm still looking though!

* Presents *

This year I opted to have wine sent out to family overseas.  In my head I see everyone gathered at my parents house raising a glass to celebrate.  But then I realised that we have quite a few youngsters now (and 2 new babies have joined the family this month!) and I thought I should sent some lollies for them to enjoy.  I had fun making my own wrapping paper with brown parcel paper and seasonal themed stamps and ink pads tied up with festive ribbon or twine.

* Home Baking *

I put on a new Christmas singlet and the idea of baking popped into my head.  I wanted to have a go at making and icing sugar cookies, but instead I decided to make a fruit cake.  After we had had a couple of slices I put it in a cake tin in the cupboard, but that didn't really stop us from heading to the cupboard to get some more!

* Christmas Movies *

I made a list of Christmas movies to watch (in addition to the annual watching of National Lampoons Christmas Vacation) and so far we have watched Scrooged and Holiday Inn.  It is very strange to think of the song White Christmas being a new song for that movie as it's become such a part of Christmas.  Like before 1939 there was no such thing as Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer.

We still have Gremlins, Miracle on 34th Street, Die Hard, Home Alone, Elf and A Muppet Christmas Carol to get through!

* Parties and Events *

There are not enough weekends in December for all the fun parties and events!!  We have had to turn down a few events because of clashes with other events we have already committed to.  We have already been to 1 Christmas meal and we have 2 more plus 2 Christmas BBQs.

We also went to see the NZRBs performance of A Christmas Carol

This was absolutely stunning.  I was so moved by the performances I actually shed a tear, but with all the sniffing going on around me I hardly think I was the only one!  On our way home we got some Starbucks, (I <3 Red Cups!) we went by one of the houses that go all out with the Christmas lights and it all made for a perfect evening.

* Christmas Fashion *

I have been sporting a few Christmas t-shirts and singlets lately and I still have a couple still to wear.  As for party wear, I haven't bought anything new and I'm still trying to plan out what I'm going to wear to the next few events.  I bought the Stylebook app, but as yet I haven't had any time to photograph my clothes but I'm really looking forward to using this app after the new year.

* Christmas Day Plans *

This will involve Pimms cocktail, twiglets, a traditional (vege) roast dinner, plum pudding, ice hockey and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation.  If the weather is nice we might also get to play boules, badminton or wiffle ball.