Christmas isn't cancelled

Hello! Merry Christmas. Gosh, what a lot has happened since I was last here and that was only ten days ago. I hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas, even if it will be different to anything we could have hoped for. I've heard a lot of people say that Christmas is cancelled: it's not, it's just different, and I am doing my utmost to make it as lovely as possible for myself and the children.

Bella turned fourteen last week. We managed to celebrate it the day before our local area went into tier 3 by going shopping in Chichester after school on the last day of term. Bella was able to spend her birthday money and do that most normal of things that fourteen year old girls want to do: browse shops like H&M and Paperchase. John met us when he finished work and we went to Wagamama for dinner. It was so nice, wandering around the shops as it grew dark - almost normal.

The next day wasn't the best; we found out that we would shortly be going into Tier 4, meaning that we could not see any friends or family on Christmas day, which was hard. We'd actually planned to spend Christmas day just the four of us anyway, but were going to see family on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. It was a blow. Then Angus fell off his bike and fractured his arm and we had to go to A&E. He is absolutely fine - it's a tiny fracture and he's not in any pain, just annoyed with the cast, and I saw him play fighting with Bella yesterday so I think it's safe to say he's ok. But it was a rubbish start to the Christmas holidays.

My strategy for this whole week has been to throw myself into all festivities possible and enjoy every Christmassy moment. We were supposed to host Christmas Eve mulled wine and mince pies at our house today, but instead we have just had a family Zoom where we all wore Christmas jumpers and drank mulled wine in our own living rooms. 

I have enjoyed every Christmas card that has come through our letterbox. I always love sending and receiving these, but this year they felt extra special and we've had some beautiful handmade ones.

I have baked and baked this week. 

Mince pies again, and I think these were my best batch yet.

I decided to ice our Christmas cake this year and had a go at making royal icing for the first time. It was surprisingly easy and gave me the kitsch, over the top snow scene I wanted. I also made a Yule Log, as I do every year now, for tonight and tomorrow. No-one really likes Christmas pudding as much as I do. 

We had to make peppermint bark. Out of all the festive baking I do each year I did not expect peppermint bark to be the thing that the children insist on making each year. I can take it or leave it, but Bella and Angus absolutely love it and feel that it's as important as mince pies or gingerbread.

I think I've covered every surface possible in Christmas decorations now.

I made some quick festive garlands by threading together wooden beads and felt balls. I love the simplicity of the colours and making them was a very happy hour or two sat at the kitchen table while I listened to The Christmas Chronicles podcast.

We have walked every day, whatever the weather. Much of this week has been drizzly and grey, and our walks have mostly been short and local.

The temperature dropped and the sun came out today though, and it felt perfectly wintry and just right for Christmas Eve. Everywhere is so muddy but we still enjoyed being out in the sunshine, even if the wind was cold.

And now here we are at that beautiful moment on Christmas Eve, full of anticipation. Gifts are wrapped and delivered, food has been bought and prepared, new pyjamas delivered by the elves. Nearly everything that needs to be done has been. John is cooking, Angus is watching TV, Bella is most likely face-timing her cousins and I am drinking rose prosecco. I will wish you all a very happy Christmas. I hope that despite everything, despite the rules and restrictions and not being able to see family or do any of the usual, you have a safe, healthy and joyful Christmas.