Last year I lost the Christmas magic.
I’m not sure why this was but suddenly Christmas seemed like a chore, something to get out of the way rather than to look forward to. I felt overwhelmed and exhausted as well as a bit frumpy and fed up too. When I shared my feelings with the rest of the team, each of them admitted that they’d felt disillusioned with the festive period in 2015 for their own respective reasons.
But something has changed this year. ALL of us have embraced the festivities with open arms; we’re ridiculously excited and have been since the end of November…this might go some way in explaining the multiple Christmas inspired posts on Rock My Style and Rock My Family over the last few weeks. Sorry about that.
So why the shift in attitude? I honestly don’t know. Perhaps it’s because Hector is older, perhaps it’s because I’ve got a bit more sleep. Maybe it’s because Ste has decided to take a decent amount of time off for Christmas this year. Undoubtedly it’s a mixture of all three but I also think my organisation has a goodly part to play in this. The presents are all wrapped, bar a couple and we have a fair few activities and Christmas outings up our sleeves too. We’re Christmas ready!
So I thought I’d use today’s post to share some of the toddler friendly activities we’ll be getting up to for the rest of the month. I’d love to hear what you folks are also getting up to (read I might steal some of the ideas for myself…).
Botanical Gardens Magic Lantern Show
This coming weekend we’ll be taking a trip to the Magic Lantern show at Birmingham Botanical Gardens. I’ve heard lots of really good feedback from friends and family; RMS team member Lisa visited a couple of weeks ago and said it was even better than she expected. I’ve been frantically avoiding Facebook in case there are any spoilers; I want to be as surprised as Hector will be.
Santa & His Reindeer
My Grandad moved into a nursing home earlier this year which is literally just down the road from my mum’s house. We see him frequently – probably twice a week with Hector – with my mum and sisters visiting everyday and we’ve got to know some of the other residents too which is really nice. We found out recently that Father Christmas and his reindeer will be visiting on 21st so we’ll be taking him to say hello and sharing a mince pie or two with my Gramps.
Webbs Of Wychbold Ice-Rink
The ice rink at Webbs in Wychbold near Droitwich has had rave reviews from friends and family too. I knew about the Christmas ice rink last year but Hector was just far too small to really appreciate us taking him. I’m still in two minds as to whether I should take him this year but Ste is keen so no doubt we’ll end up going along and seeing how he takes to it…Hector that is not Ste. They have special skates for littles and the rink is open until 2nd January so this will give us something to look forward to in the Twixmas period.
Decorating The Christmas Tree
Ok so technically this isn’t a Christmas outing (although collecting the tree at the weekend which you might have seen if you follow me on Instagram was). We had the tree delivered on Tuesday so we’re waiting for it to dry out a little and will be decorating it a bit later today accompanied by some festive tunes, some Lebkuchen and probably a spot of reorganisation by Mummy when Hector goes for his nap 😉
Christmas Carols
Ste and I got engaged at Charlecote Park back in 2012 so it’s incredibly special to both of us, especially as I have so many fond memories of playing in the grounds as a child. We’ve yet to take Hector there but I think the Christmas Music event this coming weekend at the house might be a good time to introduce him to the place. That said we have a chock-a-block weekend ahead with the aforementioned Lantern Festival and an early meal booked for my little sister’s upcoming birthday as well as a festive brunch with my parents. Talk about packing it all in!
What are you lovelies up to? What have you got planned for your littles? And are there any amazing events in the Midlands that we need to attend? Why not share your thoughts in the comments box below…
I got the majority of my Xmas shopping done at the end of November so I am also feeling excited for it! I get 2 weeks off work so that also helps. Last week we went on the Santa steam train which was awesome (though not in the Midlands) but I know they run similar events across the uk. I thought my son might be a bit young (not 2 until Jan) but he loved it. Apart from that we haven’t really done anything too Christmassy, I did put the tree up whilst he was about but he isn’t interested in it and his one attempt at helping was to sort of throw a bauble in it and when it didn’t stick he went back to playing with his toys! He has done lots of Christmas things at nursery, and he says Rudolph constantly, we had to sing Rudolph the red nose reindeer on repeat for nearly an hours car journey last weekend ?
Ahhhh Claire that’s so sweet. Hector loves the tree – constantly saying ‘big tree’ every time he walks past just in case we hadn’t noticed it yet 😉 Other than that the concept of Father Christmas has completely passed him by. We do have lots of lovely Christmas decorated items from nursery though so I hope it’s going in somewhere…
I feel exactly the same this year! So much more excited but I think that may be down to my little boy. He’s nearly 3 and seems to have a much better understanding of it. He loves all the Christmas songs he’s been learning at nursery and they have done so many lovely Christmas activities with him. He came home with magic reindeer food last night. For me Christmas starts when the round table santa drives down our street. Zach was so excited to see the sleigh arriving with the music and lights.
Outings are so expensive with an over 2 toddler I find as you tend to get charged and then you spend your time crossing your fingers that he doesn’t have a meltdown or in our case want to sprint round whatever it is so you don’t get the chance to enjoy it. The botanical gardens sounds lovely may be worth a visit. I’m planning taking the train into town to walk the Christmas market so he can look at the lights as that seems to be his favourite thing at the moment.
Hector will be three next year Helen so I think like you’ve said your little boy has, Hector too will have a greater understanding of it next Christmas. Magic reindeer food sounds especially ace!
It has sparkles in it apparently so when you put it out Christmas Eve Santa can see it from his sleigh
Same here…its M’s third Christmas but the first one was a bit of a blur as she was so small, last year my Mum was just out of hospital, so this year I’m really getting into the Christmas spirit and was getting excited back in September….!
We’ve been doing a few Christmas trips/activities part of Martha’s advent calendar -going playing in the snow this Saturday and to a Grotto Monday but there are so many things to choose from I could get carried away and have to remind myself there are plenty more Christmas’s to come!!
We went to Liverpool last Friday to see the Dreamworks lanterns which although not festive (and none of us have ever seen the films they were from!) were brilliant and M loved it…..there were also the Christmas markets just outside St Georges Hall (where the lanterns were) which meant we could have a quick wander round there too…!
I love the idea of including Christmas tips as part of the advent calendar prizes Jane (totally stealing that for next year!) I’ve been debating whether to take Hector to the snowdome tobogganing or not for the snow factor and if indeed taking him to see Father Christmas would be scary rather than fun. Not sure if he’s a bit young for it or not. The Dreamworks lanterns sound amazing by the way and a bit of sneaky Christmas Market action is always good for mama too!
We’ve missed out on our usual trip to the Christmas tree farm to pick and collect the tree and see Santa this year – we went fake and the weekend we’d earmarked for it, Father a Christmas wasn’t there 🙁 It’s a shame but I’ve been looking for other things to make up for it.
Personally, I don’t feel particularly Christmassy unless LOTS of carols have been sung, so not only am I going to a grown-up carol concert on Sunday, but I’m also taking all three of them to a kids’ Festival of Music on Monday – it’s put on by Bach to Baby who introduce classical music to young children, and is both a) extremely laid back (children are encouraged to sing along, dance, etc) but also b) sells coffee. So it works for me 🙂
I’m taking the bigger girl to the Unicorn Theatre next week (which is a fab children’s theatre in London) to see a production about Christmas.
And I’m also going for a grown up lunch at Fortnums with my best girl friend in our newest tradition – taking some time out for ourselves in the run up to Christmas, which I think is equally as important to your enjoyment of the season – it’s no fun if you’re burned out.
Oh Sara all your Christmassy trips and activities sound amazing. I’m not religious but I really really love a carol service, particularly those pieces from earlier periods in history as you can almost get a glimpse of what it must have been like back then (provided you’re in the right setting). Hector loves music so I’d love to know if anything similar to the Festival of Music you mentioned was being put on in the Midlands. And I’m so jealous of your Fortnums lunch; I bet it will be wonderful!
There is but you might have missed it. We’ve done Bach to Baby for the last two Christmasses but this year, now we’re in the North West we’ve done Classical babies who are UK wide (they were on Dragons Den). They have a Facebook page.
Super! I’ll check it out xx
I’m trying so hard but my Christmas mojo is just flat. Tree is up, after a lovely trip to buy it from a farm a mile away, presents all wrapped and ready, been to a gorgeous National Trust house TWICE to see lights and taken her to see Father Christmas in a grotto I helped build in the village hall for our pre school. We have baked gingerbread stars for neighbours, and am attempting the reindeer cupcakes today. But I just feel…. muh about the whole thing. It’s very out of character! I think maybe it’s because on the big day we are going to his family in the late afternoon then doing the 4 hour drive to mine. And at heart all I want to do is stay at home.
Oh Lucy. This makes me sad but I totally empathise with you on the bah humbugs for this year. Perhaps next year instead you can demand that you stay at home instead?
Don’t apologise for the Xmas posts – I have loved them 🙂 Such lovely ideas from everyone, it has been really useful. The Botanical Gardens Magic Lantern Show sounds amazing, will have to remember that one for next year especially as my in-laws live in Telford so one to go to when we visit them.
Hopefully it won’t just be a one off Nicola and they’ll repeat it next year too x
We did the Webbs ice skating the other week and the girls loved it. Molly managed to do it by herself but Alice went on the push on sledge thing which basically meant she got to sit and be pushed round the ice. I wasn’t complaining as it gave me something to hold on to in order to keep me upright!! x
Definitely going to check out the Magic Lantern festival! Last Friday we took our toddler to Blithbury Reindeer Lodge which was lovely. He loved feeding the reindeer before going to meet Santa, and we had a Storytime with Mrs Claus by the fire! We had to book it a bit in advance but will definitely look to do it again next Christmas, especially as he’ll be that magical three years old!
http://www.blithburyreindeerlodge.co.uk/
We had a lovely Christmas last year in London when E was just turned one. We did loads
(1) Bach to Baby Christmas carol concert
(2) Lego Train and Covent Garden
(3) Carols at St Pauls Cathedral
(4) Southbank Festival of Lights and Christmas markets
(5) Oxford Street Lights
Unfortunately the Mums in London are somewhat MENTAL and book to see Santa when the tickets are released in August (you’re lucky to get anywhere in Surrey if you look to book in September – my friend’s wife books tickets at midnight the day they are released for their local National Trust place!)
This year we have moved to the North West and I’m finding it a bit lacklustre compared to London. There is a festival of lights at Salford Quays but its a bit rubbish and we had planned on doing the Coca Cola lorry (I defy you not to mentally sing Holidays ARE coming). We have done a Classical music concert through Classical Babies (they have a facebook page – see my comment above) but we did our trip to Santa at a National Trust place with my parents when we were home at the weekend. All the National Trust properties have something on and we’ve got tickets to see Wow Said the Owl.
I have seriously debated Panto but I think we might wait until next year.