Right. It’s 1st December, and I’m sat here with a tea that actually stayed warm long enough for me to type this, which feels like its own seasonal miracle.
The tree is up, yes.
Decorated? No.
“Some years the magic is in the moments, not the timing — Christmas still happens even when the decorations don’t.”
Decorations in boxes all around the house? Absolutely they are. We got them down from the loft and that’s as far as it’s got for me so far.
Advents bought? Yes (one chocolate, one felt reindeer style I can pop my own curated collection in)
Propped up for a picture perfect postcard moment? Nope, in a bag somewhere.
Elf? Not purchased.
Regrets? Also not purchased
What happened next…
Yesterday, I was too tired for anything more organised than sofa snuggles (I think baby number 2 is having a growth spurt) And honestly? The world didn’t end — it just felt slow, warm, full of tiny-head-on-chest cuddles.
This year I had all the intentions of a December box with Christmas books, Christmas PJs, some cute little Christmas games, advent calendar, and craft and baking activities all laid out ready for 1st of December wake up. Have I purchased it all? Yes, I have but have I got it (and really myself) together for it, not really. I mean it is all together now (thank you past me, you flawed legend). But did I buy a stylish wooden storage crate for doing a photoshoot at 6:45am? I did not. It’s in a fold-flat fabric box, the collapsible kind from IKEA. You know the ones. Reliable. Liveable. Practical.
Note to self- Put on purchase list for next year, if in any January sales even better!
And here’s the thing I want to shout gently across the parent-scroll-o-sphere:
If you didn’t get up at 6am to stage the advent moment —
That’s okay!
If your Christmas décor is currently giving “tired mum at the disco” vibes —
Also okay!
If the tree is standing, but the gorgeousness of dressing it with you team is yet to come-
Perfect-ish is plenty, babes.
Because Christmas doesn’t start when the house is tidy enough and everything perfect.
It starts when your toddler wakes up and says,“Mummy”
And you’re there with your brew, the tree, and your whole stupidly full heart.
This year, I want this blog series to feel like standing round the school gate whispering, “you’re doing great,”
A community that isn’t picture perfect —
But really is full of love.
And if you’re reading this thinking you’re “late starting”, or “behind”, or “not nailing it in neat 7am shoots”… you’re not.
You’re literally living real mum life, which is the only qualification this blog series ever pretended to need anyway.
You’re doing amazing.
I mean it. Even if the gingerbread snowmen you planned to decorate are still judging you quietly from the cupboard like you’ve ghosted them again
They’ll still taste like love by Thursday.
And a shout out to the Mums that did all this and on time (that will be me next year btw, dam you wooden crate!), well done. I bet it was a gorgeous magic start to this beautiful time we have ahead of us.
Happy 1st December everyone, let the magic (and threats of Father Christmas not coming if you don’t eat your tea up/ listen/ brush your teeth/ go to bed/ get off the floor in the supermarket) commence.
