Fenn’s 1st Christmas.

Today is the 29th December 2016 and Fenn just enjoyed her 1st Christmas.

Now I am an athiest, but I do enjoy the wonderful tradition of Christmas. I love the history of celebration, the singing, the coming together and the food, and I love that Fenn will now get to start enjoying our traditions.

As a family, we decided to stop buying each other presents about 5 years ago. We were all well onto adulthood (I was the youngest), we all had everything we wanted and really had no need to run around, wasting money on things that people didn’t want or need, just for the sake of Christmas. Every year, when everyone else seems to be running around, stressed about getting the ‘perfect’ present for Aunty Sue or second cousin Bob, we get to spend time together, decorating our homes and really appreciating each other… Oh and eating! When you stop buying presents, it almost feels like you are a member of a secret society of calm. People look at you like you have 3 eyes when you tell them why you aren’t about to explode with stress and having to remortgage after Christmas… And then they think about it. I would recommend it to anyone.

However, now that we have littles in the family, we are buying them presents. 

We didn’t go crazy for Fenn. We bought her a teething ring. Yep, you read that correctly, a £6 teething ring. It is really lovely, suits our very particular taste and is something she will need in the coming year. There was no need to waste money on stuff she doesn’t need and won’t even realise she has. Other people bought her some beautiful wooden toys, some Lamaze toys and lots of lovely books, teddy bears and a few rompers. My step dad made her an amazing wooden baby gym, and my mum bought her some bells to hang from it. It is beautiful, entertaining for Fenn, comes apart to be stored behind the sofa and looks really lovely.

Fenn asleep under her hand made baby gym. Also pictured is her teething ring (dangling between the pompoms).

It has been a wonderful Christmas, and we have started the following traditions which we hope to continue for years to come:

• Visiting Father Christmas in his grotto:

I think we can all interpret what Fenn is thinking here.

• Going carol singing.
• Leaving drinks and snacks out under the tree for Father Christmas and the reindeer.
• Buying one special bauble per year to hang on the tree.
• Reading The Night Before Christmas and The Jolly Christmas Postman on Christmas eve before bed. 
• Enjoying Christmas lunch with family and friends.

Next year we will do stockings and Father Christmas’ footprints.

I can’t wait until she is as excited about Christmas as I am!