There always seems to be a mad dash in December to get everything ready for Christmas, but now that the shopping is done, cards have been posted and presents wrapped, things are finally starting to wind down and we’re very much looking forward to some time off between Christmas and New Year.
My husband and I have been trying to simplify Christmas for a few years now, gradually stripping away the stress, excess and waste to find all the peace, love, joy and wonder that the festive period holds.
Everything seems to twinkle and jingle in December, and I always look forward to the simple pleasure of putting up our Christmas decorations, and especially decorating the tree. I love unwrapping the trinkets and baubles we’ve collected over the years, and reminiscing about where each of them came from. The newest addition to our collection is a wooden nutcracker soldier that I bought from Jólagarðurinn (The Christmas Garden) outside Akureyri in Iceland, a little souvenir from our holiday in April. Our cat Mara also loves investigating the tree, though luckily she doesn’t attempt to climb it or attack the baubles.
My favourite part of Christmas though is spending time with my family, free from the distractions and time constraints that are often present throughout the rest of the year. This Christmas many of our plans will revolve around the older generation of our family, as we try to make things as easy and inclusive as possible for my 92-year-old nanna, and visit another member of the family who might be spending Christmas in hospital. Christmas is a time of love and joy for many, yet it can be tinged with loss and loneliness for others, and I always feel lucky and grateful to be able to share it with the people I love most.
Wishing everyone a peaceful winter Solstice and a very happy Christmas! X
This sounds like a wonderful Christmas! Merry Christmas to you and your family! 🎄
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The dressing of the Christmas tree is my favourite time too. I hope you have a simple, peaceful, lovely Christmas. Love Cathy x
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What a lovely post. We have learnt to strip back Christmas too. My favourite bits are decorating the tree, lighting candles, spending extended time with a few special friends and close family, and slowing everything down. No more travelling across the country, and not so many parties. Enough rather than excess!
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Merry Christmas to you and yours, including the beautiful Mara. I tried to take a picture of Slinky for my Christmas post, but she was having none of it. Your tree is gorgeous. X
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Thanks! I have to be very quick to capture photos of Mara, usually end up with plenty of blurry pics too. ☺
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Haha yes! I know that feeling. 🙂
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Merry Christmas xx
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Thanks, same to you. X
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Best wishes for Christmas and. New Year. X
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Thanks! Happy Christmas to you too. X
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Beautiful photos.
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Thank you. 😊
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If you ever fancy doing a guest post about your cats let us know.
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