Homemade Christmas!

07.12

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So we’ve officially been in our new home for two and a half weeks now, and we’re so so happy here! I’ve been sharing lots of updates on Instagram, but now that we’ve finally been blessed by the Internet Gods and have fibre internet (Praise be!! It was like living in the dark ages until a couple of days ago…), I thought it was high time I actually did a bit of blogging!

Now that the bulk of the unpacking is done, and we’re down to just the odd box here and there that I just can’t quite be bothered to tackle, I’ve been able to turn my attention to all things Christmas! I’ll be honest and say that I’ve cheated at my Christmas shopping this year and done literally all of it online. Though is that cheating? Or just really sensible, when you’ve got a toddler with limited patience for being strapped into a pushchair and wheeled round the shops, and it costs about as much to park in Guildford as it does to have stuff sent out? And in any case, online shopping is my jam. No crowds, hassle free, and you can do it whilst soaking in a hot bath. Winner.
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I’ve had visions in my head, and a ‘to do’ list running on my phone, of what crafts and activities I can do with Ottilie this Christmas for a good few weeks now. Now, baking is one thing but I’m really not a naturally ‘crafty’ person. My artistic ability is limited to being able to take a half decent photo, and that’s about it. But I honestly can’t wait to get involved with all manner of crafts as Ottie grows- painting, collaging, potato stamping- I’m ready!

We’ve managed two little crafty activities this week, one with great success (hello home baked gingerbread decorations hanging on our kitchen tree!) and one…less successful!

I thought it would be fun to order some Christmas foam stamps and print our own wrapping paper…but it turns out I massively overestimated my 15 month old’s ability to carefully dip a stamp into paint and press it onto the paper!

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What she of course was really into was dunking her entire hand into the paint, and the smearing paint on herself, me, the cans of beans I was using to weigh down the paper, the table, and then splatting so much paint onto one single patch of paper that it turned into a sodden mess. And she had a great time doing it!! Until she decided to see what poster paint tastes like and then that particular activity came to an abrupt end.

The wrapping paper has sadly been consigned to a cupboard, and maybe we’ll tackle that particular activity for next year’s Christmas…

Oh and don’t even talk to me about the fact she’s not wearing an apron. I forgot until it was too late and she was already covered in paint. I know I know…

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^^ More ‘paint splattered crime scene’ than festive wrapping paper, isn’t it? ^^

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What did turn out really well though were our little gingerbread decorations! I made the dough during Ottie’s lunchtime nap, and then let her stamp out shapes and then have a go and squiggling royal icing over the biscuits once they were cooked and cooled. She loved it! And tasting all the dough, naturally…

She does ask to eat them from the tree approximately eight million times a day, so I made some extra plain ones too that she’s allowed have one of as a post-dinner treat. Though we did lose one of the tree decorations to that naughty white and brown dog of ours who decided to help herself one evening!

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^^ Absurdly proud of those little stars, knowing that Ottie made them (mostly) herself <3 ^^

I promise I’ll share more photos of our new home soon! Hope you’re all having a magical December so far :)

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12 Comments
Posted in CHRISTMAS, CHRISTMAS TREE
  • http://www.heymamablog.com Catherine McCourt

    Awh, this is so lovely! The gingerbread decorations are so cute.

    Catherine | http://www.heymamablog.com

  • jess readhead

    So excited to see more of your new house ! Did you use a vegan gingerbread recipe ? i saw on your Instagram that the icing was xxx

  • Rosie L

    So glad to see you back in blogging (I love your Instagram, but there’s something about your writing that is just like a breath of fresh air). Can’t wait to see more of the house! We also moved – in August – and I still have that one box I cannot be bothered to unpack. I know what’s in it, mostly ;) And I too have done all my Christmas shopping online, will probably brave the crowds for a few little stocking stuffers and call it good. :)

  • http://www.kayleighawright.co.uk Kayleigh

    This is so cute! I love those star and tree gingerbreads, they’re such lovely little cookie decorations! Can’t wait to see more photos of your new home :)

    Kayleigh | http://www.anenthusiasmfor.co.uk

  • http://pollyrowan.com/ Polly Rowan

    Aww Christmas with a young child looks so magical! Looks like a fun (if a little messy) activity! x

    http://pollyrowan.com/

  • http://www.allthingsbeautiful-x.blogpsot.com/ Jessie Lewis

    Such beautiful pictures! I wish you all the best in your new home – I hope you will all be very happy there :) xx
    Jessie | allthingsbeautiful-x

  • http://www.mckenzieallyshia.com mckenzie allyshia

    Your tree and decor are too darn cute! Our two pups would have each little gingerbread ornament eaten as soon as we looked away ha ha. Looks like so much fun!

  • http://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.co.uk/ Elizabeth Rebecca

    That tree is so cute – great idea to have it up and away from the dogs. Hope we can see more of your house soon!

    https://lizziedailyblog.blogspot.com/

  • http://blog.hyggeandwool.com Yelle

    I don’t even have a toddler and I can’t manage to bundle up, find parking in the city, and do my holiday shopping in person! I much prefer to order online as well :) That leaves more time for holiday movies and crafting activities!

  • http://bunniesaremagic.com Aleksandra // bunniesaremagic

    Food is way off limits for our Christmas tree – my cat would never let it be, even if he would find it untasty :)

  • http://Cloebeth.com Chloe

    In my head i want to be kirstie allsop but it’s so much effort when there is loads going on, but this year we are doing a crafty Christmas table

    https://cloebeth.com/

  • https://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk woodenwindowsills

    One thing I can’t wait for when I have kids is doing fun little crafty things like this – I can’t believe how grown up she looks in these photos! Alice xxx

    http://www.woodenwindowsills.co.uk

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