Christmas this year will look a little different to previous years, as the girls are now young teenagers. It’s funny how much things can change as children grow up. What was once a month filled with nightly Elf on the Shelf antics and our annual trips to LaplandUK has gradually evolved into something a little different. Still just as festive, still full of special experiences and traditions, but with a slightly more grown-up feel.
I suppose the transition started when the girls were in Year 6. That was the last year our elves visited, and I made sure every day was extra special, with plenty of treats and surprises to bring a lovely end to the years of festive fun and mischief they’d delivered throughout December. It felt like the right time to wrap up that chapter and hold on to all those wonderful memories.
We also said goodbye to our annual LaplandUK visits in 2023, and gradually started swapping some of our usual festive outings for different experiences. We’ve also slowed down on the pantomimes, partly because the girls are getting older and we’re now opting for something a little more sophisticated, such as the ballet. It also makes sense when the school often organises a pantomime trip of its own. One year, the girls managed to see Aladdin three times, thanks to me booking tickets, their dad booking tickets and then the school arranging another visit! So these days, we tend to save our money and enjoy the ballet instead.
We used to love visiting the Land of Lights too. I still think it’s a lovely experience, and whilst they introduce a few new displays each year, I think we’ve probably had our day with it for now, unless something particularly different is added.
Our annual trip to London, however, is still very much part of our Christmas plans. The itinerary tends to change slightly each year, but has previously included a wander around Covent Garden, a visit to Fortnum & Mason, and a little festive shopping at Hamleys, Selfridges or Harrods, followed by a stroll along Regent Street and Oxford Circus.
This year, we’re giving Covent Garden a miss. Last year’s visit was incredibly busy and, if I’m honest, far too stressful to be enjoyable. Instead, we’re going to make the most of Oxford Street being pedestrianised, visit the Harry Potter shop and see the Harry Potter Christmas lights. We’ll definitely squeeze in a visit to Fortnum & Mason too, where we can enjoy a little tea and cake before heading home. Sometimes it’s nice to change things up and find a different way to enjoy somewhere familiar.
There are, of course, some traditions that never change. Every year, without fail, we’ll enjoy a vegan Magnum, pick up a Starbucks hot chocolate, put on our favourite Christmas songs and drive around our local area looking at all the houses decorated with Christmas lights and displays. It’s such a simple thing to do, but one of those little traditions I hope the girls will always remember.
Over the years, we’ve enjoyed such a lovely variety of Christmas experiences together. From seeing family and friends, cinema trips and pantomimes to ballet performances, London shopping trips, festive dining out, visits to Father Christmas and Christmas light shows, Silverstone and even Harry Potter Studios. We’ve always enjoyed mixing things up and making the most of the festive season, rather than doing exactly the same thing every year.
We also visited Lap of Lights at Silverstone a few years ago and absolutely loved it, so we’re heading back this year. We’ve always been visitors of Waddesdon Manor for its Christmas market and light show as well as dining, however, decided to give it a miss this year. As it happens, they’re not running anyway. I would normally look for an alternative, perhaps Ashridge or Blenheim, but honestly, I don’t think we’ll have the time. These experiences can also be quite expensive nowadays, so I’m becoming a little more selective about which ones we choose.
Another exciting difference this year is that we’re going skiing. We haven’t been for a very long time, so it’s something we’re all really looking forward to. I will of course be blogging about our adventures. We’ll be enjoying our Christmas dinner at home once we return, which will make things a little different again. It’s lovely having something new to look forward to and creating different memories together.
Gift-wise, there’s definitely less pressure to buy lots of presents these days. Thankfully, I’ve always raised the girls to appreciate experiences over things, so they’ve never been children who expect a huge mountain of presents under the tree. They’ve always been grateful for whatever they receive, which makes Christmas shopping a little easier.
These days, they generally prefer money, which gives us the opportunity to turn shopping into a lovely experience together. We’ll often head to Westfield or Westgate, enjoy a little shopping, perhaps stop for something to eat and make a day of it. It’s less about having lots of presents to unwrap and more about choosing things they genuinely want and enjoying time together.
We’ll still have our usual Christmas decorating session too. The girls will usually put on their LaplandUK elf hats with the little bells, slip into their Christmas PJs and we’ll get our favourite festive songs playing while we decorate the tree. Some things are just too lovely to give up.
Our tree is from Balsam Hill, and whilst we’re not particularly big on decorating the house for every occasion, a beautiful Christmas tree is a must for us. Over the years, we’ve collected lots of special and sentimental decorations, and many have their own little story behind them. I love bringing them out each year and remembering where they came from or the memories attached to them. For me, that’s what makes a Christmas tree special. It’s not necessarily about having the biggest display or the most decorations, but about the memories and meaning behind them.
This year will also be our first Christmas without our fur babies, after having them in our lives for 19 years. I miss them so, so much, and it will undoubtedly feel strange not having them with us. They’ll always be part of our family, though, and will be with us in spirit. It’s another reminder of how much life changes over the years and how important it is to treasure the time we have together.
I think that’s what I’m most conscious of as the girls get older. I’m very aware that these teenage years are precious too. Before long, they’ll have even more independence, their own plans and perhaps different priorities when it comes to Christmas. So, for now, I’m making the most of every opportunity to enjoy these experiences with them, whether that’s a trip to London, a festive show, a skiing holiday or simply driving around looking at Christmas lights with a hot chocolate in hand.
Christmas might not look quite the same as it did when they were little, but that doesn’t mean the magic has disappeared. It’s just changing, and we’re finding new ways to enjoy it together.
I’m looking forward to another festive season filled with lovely experiences, old traditions, new memories and, most importantly, time together. After all, that’s what Christmas has always been about for us.
