Since this weeks Children’s book is a Christmassy one I thought I would unashamedly shoehorn it into a Blogmas post for today!
The Christmas Elf and the magic of kindness
By Marcy Kelman and Hannah Mark’s
This book is SO cute. The illustrations are lovely and bright and the message that it gets across is so sweet.
The book is all about being kind and finding and embracing what you are good at… not worrying if you can’t always do what someone else can do, because we all have our own individual talents.
The perfect, Christmassy story with a beautiful message to those who read/listen to it.
I LOVE a festive read. I fully read festive books throughout December and this year is no exception… infact I’m trying to read even more than usual this year to really get me into thr festive spirit.
Thought I would share with you some of my favourites, as well as ones that are on my tbr (to be read) list
🎄 Some • of • my • favourites 📚
Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walter’s
A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux
Sleigh rides and Silver bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain
Dream a little Christmas dream by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)
Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland
Christmas with Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)
❄ On • my • TBR • list 📚
A Christmas Wish by Lizzie Lang
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
Dash & Lily Series by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
One more Christmas by Sarah Morgan
The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine
🎅🏻 Current • Festive • Read 📚
Hopefully Hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
One of the best parts of Christmas is putting up your tree, so here’s ours!
I love putting up the tree, christmas jumpers on, christmas tunes blaring out… perfect!
From Disneyland Paris ’19So pretty ❤🌟From Universal Studios, Florida ’18Our 2020 decoration from Mum Bought at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park ’19Our tree topper ☆
I love the traditional red, gold and green of our decorations.
These came out so well, are super chocolatey (I always add extra chocolate 🤦🏼♀️) & look how cute they are!!
I’m not as great at the finer detail when it comes to decorating things like this but, even I could do this haha! and I love how they turned out.
These would be great for a Christmas buffet table (and yes I am still having one even though there won’t be many of us, because come on 2020 or not… it’s Christmas & who doesnt love a buffet!!)
I thought that for Day Two I would do a little book review. I an going to do a fee of these, as part of Blogmas, throught December as I am trying to read plenty of festive books.
Let’s take a look!
This lovely, cosy festive read takes us on the trip back to Beth’s hometown of Glendale, and more specifically Glendale Hall, the family home.
She fled at the age of 16 due to her pregnancy being rejected by her family.
She is now back or Christmas, 10 years after she fled, to see her ill grandmother.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is how endearing the characters are, their characterisation is really nicely developed and you instantly like them, feel for them and are rooting for them. They are very real characters with a fluffy romantic edge.
And because you have this ease with the characters, you find yourself quickly immersed into the book and turning the pages feverishly, digesting more and more of the Glendale cosyness.
The story is very enjoyable and is written with a lovely festive feel that makes you ready for the christmas season, itching to put up your own decorations, see lights around the town and make a hot chocolate or six.
I couldn’t put it down.
So, apparently this is the part of the review that I’m supposed to write something I didnt like as much about the book… (Boo!)
… I knew what was probably going to happen in the end…???
My question is…Does it matter if you predict or don’t predict the ending when the journey to it is so enjoyable though?!
I’m really clutching at straws here because I bloody loved the book and am now on book 3!
So, if you want to get into the Christmas spirit, feel cosy, festive and ready to enjoy all things Christmassy then grab a hot chocolate and cosy down with this absolutely gorgeous seasonal delight.
Let me just start by saying Merry Christmas! I hope you all have the best christmas day with your loved ones. Eat, drink, be merry and care free.
Christmas eve pt 2
The evening
Here is the second half of our Christmas Eve adventures.
Our tradition, and one of my absolute favourites, is our Christmas lights tour of our home town.
We have usual hot spots that we visit each year but I also like to keep an eye out, in the few weeks leading up to Christmas, for any other lights that would be good to drive by.
My twin sister Sarah usually comes but she wasnt able to this time as she was working so my husband drove us, mum, and my two nephews around.
Once we had seen our share of lights we headed back to the boys house and gave them their Christmas eve boxes.
Once they had munched on some chocolate, it was time for Christmas PJs, setting up for Santa C and a festive bedtime story.
I got my two nephews and niece matching Christmas pjs, the same print but the boys were blue and Evie’s were pink.
They were lovely, and only £7 each from Asda.
I got them all a size up so they can have them for next year too.
All ready for Santa! 💙🎅🏻
Once the boys had listened to ‘The Night Before Christmas’ story and gone to sleep we settled down to have our Nachos and watch some Christmas tv.
We watched ‘Father Christmas’ and the Christmas Eve episode of Eastenders ready for tomorrow.
It was nice to chill after a fun but busy day!
& of course when I got home I had to get ready for Santa myself…
That’s it for another year of Blogmas, it goes by quicker every year!!
This is where Christmas really starts. I definatly count this as one of the big ‘Christmas days’ inc Christmas day ans boxing day and any subsequent family Christmas days after these few days.
The day started off by having a Christmas Eve brunch with my sister and my niece Evie-Mae.
After brunch we had a look through Evies Christmas eve box…
Last night we had a festive film night at my twin sisters house, perfect for getting you into the festive spirit. Plus, as you may have seen from my previous Blogmas post that I did a couple of days ago, I’ve made a list of the christmas films I want to get in before the end of the holiday season.
‘The film centres on Buddy, a human who was adopted and raised by Santa’s elves. He learns about this ans heads to New York City to meet his biological father while also spreading Christmas cheer in a world of cynics.’
Then we watched Home Alone…
‘The story follows eight year old Kevin McCallister who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for their Christmas vacation. Kevin initially relishes being home alone, but soon he has two burglars to contend with.’
I’ve never actually watched this film properly, and all the way through so people were very insistent that I did this year. I did enjoy, it was an easy to watch film and Kevin is very sweet.
I wouldn’t say it’s one of my absolute faves but I would definatly watch it each year.
And of course, when you are watching christmas films, you need snacks!
I brought along I chocs from my Christmas stash…
After the films we played a game of Articulate. It’s a great game for the family and it’s a laugh too!
You’ll suprise yourself with some of the ridiculous things you say under pressure.
When I got home I finished all of my wrapping so I can fully enjoy the next few pre Christmas days!
Roseanne Byford 