I really didn't feel like 'doing' Christmas in the lead up to it...in fact I was very 'Bah Humbug' but by Christmas Eve, I got into the spirit and actually had a wonderful Christmas Day. It was busy as I did all the preparation, cooking etc, but worth it. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day with family. As usual my Mother in Law and her Partner came round for the main meal, along with our Daughter in Law (Son is away) and our younger son. In the late afternoon my Aunt and Uncle come round for a buffet type supper. We had a lot of fun exchanging presents and some good ones were given and received this year. I will show them in another post.
First up is my lovely Advent Calendar.
The 'new' Christmas float. It looked fabulous. This came round early December.
A few decorations started to get put out each day.
A couple of 'new' vintage decorations I found.
Lights in the front garden.
(My husband also put out a load in the back garden - must take a photo of those!)
(My husband also put out a load in the back garden - must take a photo of those!)
Christmas Snowmen
Our little lighted villages. Sadly this one decided to stop working a couple of days before Christmas. Guessing the bulbs must have gone.
Some little kitsch deer...I have been collecting these over the last few years.
This plastic one was the latest addition, found in a CS for 10p on Christmas Eve.
I went overboard with the Christmas Trees this year, putting both up (one year we could only put a small one up so ended up with two trees) and also got out all the Christmas teddies and dolls!
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Christmas Day soon dawned...
The Christmas table
The first two are seated - it is a bit of a tight squeeze!
Now there are three...
Sadly our eldest son couldn't be with us this Christmas as he is working on his ship in the South Pacific and was between Australia and New Zealand on Christmas Day. Last year his wife to be didn't arrive in England on time for Christmas, this year he wasn't here! Perhaps next year they will get to spend Christmas Day together.
I made my 'traditional' desserts... Pavlova
and a fresh fruit salad.
Plus of course Christmas pudding.
In the evening my Aunt and Uncle join us for a light buffet type suffer.
I never eat the evening meal, as always still too full after the main Christmas dinner, which was probably just as well, as by the time everyone else had finished, there was nothing left!
Hubby took DIL home Boxing Day morning as she had to work in the afternoon, so we have had a quiet time since.
Everything looks lovely....the decorations, the food. Nice that you got into the Christmas mood and had a happy one. All the best to you and your family in the new year.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. All the very best to you and yours as well.
DeleteBelated seasons greetings to you and yours, all the best for the new year x
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. I will be back in NZ Feb/March - going to see if I can make it down your way this time!
DeleteYou certainly made a lot of effort in decorating the house, it looks wonderful, and the food looks very good.
ReplyDeleteThank you, yes it was a lot of effort indeed.
DeleteChristmas dinner looked delicious. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteChristmas dinner looked delicious! Best wishes for the new year!
ReplyDeleteThank you, it was a lovely dinner. All the best for the New Year to you too and your little piggies of course.
DeleteWell for someone starting out as a 'bah humbug' person you certainly excelled yourself. Your decorations are quite exceptional. Where on earth do you manage to store them all?
ReplyDeleteUp in the loft! But we do need to um, 'refine' the collection somewhat...if we can bear to! Most have special memories. But we are going to get rid of those that are too broken or don't work anymore. Had quite a few lights that no longer work and they have already gone.
DeleteI think making the effort this year helped...although it did take to Christmas Eve to get into the spirit of things, despite the decorations. Of course I am not looking forward to putting them all away again, but it will be good to have the space!