There is no doubt that Christmas is a time full of tradition, each family has their own little rituals they stick to every year as December rolls round and we are no different. So many of the things I do with my three boys now come from when I was a child – decorating the Christmas tree as a family, new pyjamas on Christmas Eve. Some are from my husband’s childhood such as the advent candle and homemade mince pies (although my Mother-in-law still makes this as I have no interest in baking anything with raisins in!).
However, now we are starting to make our own traditions, little things we do each year to make Christmas magical for our own children. We decorate Christmas biscuits and get a new decoration for the tree but one of my favourite new traditions is our Christmas Eve box full of goodies for the boys. I know a lot of families do these now and everyone does something slightly different which is what makes it such a wonderful tradition. The new Christmas pyjamas are put into ours alongside a Christmas book, colouring books, stickers and pens, a Christmas film, popcorn, Santa’s ‘magic key’ and a new cuddly toy.
I start stocking up on things to go in the box around this time of year always on the look out for something different to add. I love to watch the boys faces as we show them the Christmas Eve treats and I know this year we have something that is going to be extra special as we were sent the most beautiful Harrods Christmas Bear. In-keeping with their own traditions, each Christmas Harrods release a new bear and the lovely Benedict is a very special 30th Anniversary Christmas Bear. He comes in his very own festive drawstring bag and this year he is dressed in a red, knitted cardigan embroidered with the Harrods logo.
I think he has a friendly face and a twinkle in his eye but for my children to really fall in love with a new teddy bear it is all about the touch; I think Benedict is going to be a big hit as he is super soft and fluffy from head to paw. He is a sturdy little thing but also cosy enough for hugs and I have heard he loves nothing more then spreading festive cheer with kindness and cuddles. He really is delightful and I think he is going to look extra special as he is unveiled on Christmas Eve. The only trouble will be sharing him out but I know he won’t be short of cuddles with my three boys, especially Lucas who sleeps in a bed piled high with his favourite teddies!
Whenever I visit my Mum’s house around Christmas I see things that remind me of my childhood, little decorations and ornaments that I remember putting out each year when I was a little girl. They are familiar and comforting and they make it feel like Christmas. Each year I marvel at how amazing Christmas is when I’m seeing it through the eyes of my children. As they get older it only gets more and more magical and I have so much fun putting together new things to make their faces light up. I love to think that the things we do with them now will be the things they want to do with their own families when they are older. I hope they look back and think about what made Christmas special for them, that they have lots of happy memories and traditions that make them smile.
10 Comments
Aww Hayley what a lovely bear. Boo has a dated Minnie every year and I wanted to do the tradition for g. They had sold out!! Thankfully ingot Minnie online but don’t know what to do about G 🙁 xx
December 3, 2015 at 2:15 pmThat’s such a lovely idea Emma, I didn’t know you could get them dated! Maybe one of these for G? 😉 They are so soft, I am tempted to keep him myself! xx
December 4, 2015 at 7:59 amOMG he is so cute, I want one of my own. What a very special bear
December 3, 2015 at 10:37 pmHe is gorgeous isn’t he? Must admit when I opened him up I was quite tempted to keep him all to myself!
December 4, 2015 at 7:59 amAwww, he’s super cute, Hayley. We always go out for dinner with my family on Christmas Eve so don’t do a box for the boys. They have a fab stocking on Christmas Day though to make up for it.
December 3, 2015 at 11:02 pmI am a little in love with the bear! Ah we used to do dinner Christmas Eve too before the boys came along, now I just enjoy a cosy night in with new PJs and treats. My family never really did stockings but my husbands do and us adults still get them now 🙂
December 4, 2015 at 8:01 amOh he is so cute and what a lovely, lovely gift!! Love teddy bears and this one looks so sweet 🙂 xx
December 4, 2015 at 9:29 amWhat a gorgeous bear! He looks so soft and snuggly, I’m sure the boys will love it. Sam sleeps with a mountain of cuddly toys as well! xxx
December 4, 2015 at 9:48 amI love his little face. So gorgeous. And he does look lovely and cuddly and soft. I am sure your boys will adore him. I know that Little Miss H would. A gorgeous post, lovely, with some beautiful photographs. Hugs Mrs H xxxx
December 11, 2015 at 7:01 amHahaha!!!! I LOVE this. Particularly because my beautiful goddaughter was bought a Harrods bear when she was born — Bear-Bear — and she LOVES it. It was white, when she first had it, but 10 years on it’s a revolting grey colour!! Bear-Bear isn’t as smart as the Harrods Christmas Bear, but he’s a VERY special kind of bear too! 😉 xx
December 13, 2015 at 6:31 pm