Ollie's First Christmas
It’s a tough call, but I’ve decided that Christmas is, without doubt, my favourite time of year.
I love Autumn, it’s crunchy leaves, misty mornings and pretty amber sunsets.
Then there’s spring, the blossom, the Bluebells and dewy morning grass.
Summer will always remind me of being pregnant with Ollie. My race against the peonies (HERE ), 6am coffee in the garden and humid nights under the stars.
But Winter, Winter brings us Christmas and of course, New Year. The highlight of the year. More than just presents and twinkly lights. Christmas brings us love. Brings us kindness. Gratitude. Magic. The opportunity to truly slow down, to indulge and to fill our heads and hearts with those dearest to us. That’s the best!
I was so excited about Ollie’s first Christmas.
Not that he would know it was different to any other day of the year, at only 5 months old. I suppose the reason it’s so important to me is because it’s the first of many many more.
I remember clearly the magic my mum created for me at Christmas time. She made it the best day of the year. Without fail.
I’m so incredibly grateful that Colin and I have Ollie and Archie to pass on that tradition, love and magic for many many years to come.
We’ve always travelled for Christmas, either that, or filled our house with family. It’s perfect and I look forward to many more Christmases like this. But we realised that these holidays are often quite overwhelming and tiring. The rushing, the travel, the packing, cooking, cleaning…I could go on…
We decided that with Ollie so tiny and Archie with his mum this year, it was our last opportunity to have a slow and relaxing christmas together. Next year we’ll have a 17month old, an 8 year old and no doubt a whole house full of grandparents and siblings. We wanted to chill out and enjoy a quiet Christmas. Just the two of us with our tiny baby, for the first time in our relationship. So that’s just what we did!!
It was bliss. SUPER relaxing, romantic, revitalising and truly magical too.
I didn’t Instagram any of it (I know, I know, Shocking!). I just wanted to be really present. But I did, of course, take far too many pictures, because, well, that’s just what I do. I want to remember every detail. So here they are, some of the snaps from our little Christmas 2015…
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It was the first time I haven’t worked Christmas Eve in 14 years!!
We had a lazy morning. Thankfully Ollie’s good at those too.
We donned our christmas Jumpers then headed out for brunch to our favourite Piccolino Knutsford.
Bucks fizz, followed by smoked salmon, eggs and toasted ciabatta, all washed down with a vat of coffee.
Then we had a long walk in beautiful Tatton Park. No sign of the deer, they were obviously getting ready for a night shift!
We came home to Snowballs (Recipe HERE) and a little festive baking. I love this Nigella recipe for ‘Spruced Up Vanilla Cake’ (HERE).
After face-timing our family in America, we got Ollie ready for bed. Festive PJ’s of course. I’ve been reading him ‘The Night before Christmas’ for over a week now, I just love it. But reading it on Christmas Eve was really special.
We always have Moules Frites on Christmas Eve. A big steaming bowl of mussels and chips washed down with plenty of Champagne. It’s easy and it feels so special. There’s a great recipe HERE
We watched Home Alone (classic!) and hung our stockings. I think we were all tucked up in bed by 10pm. ROCK AND ROLL!!
Christmas morning was heaven. After coffee and candles in bed, we went downstairs to open gifts with some fizz. Ollie actually loved all of his little presents. The hideous plastic monstrosity that is the Jumperoo (I swore we wouldn’t have one) was by far his favourite. He bounced happily to Christmas songs all through breakfast and wore himself out!!
Personalised Sack from My First Years – HERE
Colin and my parents spoiled me rotten. I thought we were going ‘low key’ this year?!
After a long, wet walk, we dressed up for Christmas Lunch in one of our favourite little Country Pubs!
Rabbit Terrine, followed by Turkey with all the trimmings and good old Christmas pud!!
I think Christmas night was my favourite ever. We had our PJ’s on by 6pm and consumed our own body weight in Cheese, Crackers and homemade Chilli Jam. Bring on the January Detox!! :-/
It was a pretty perfect first Christmas with Ollie. We just wish Archie could’ve been here too. Hopefully next year. So happy to have him for the rest of the Christmas Holidays though. Let the Madness begin!!! 🙂
I hope you had the most wonderful, magical Christmas too. I’d love to hear how you spent it or if you have any other fab little traditions we can steel!
Wishing you the Merriest Christmas and a very very happy new year!!
