How many Santa's is too many Santa's?

Now, I love Christmas as much as the next person and a visit to a Santa's Grotto is on most parent's to-do list during the month of December. But without sounding a bit 'bah-humbug', just how many times does a child need to visit Santa!?

We live in a very small town/large village and even here, if (big IF) my children were to visit each Santa's grotto/party that is on offer in the place we live, they would see the big man himself over 10 times! I manage to tactfully avoid most of them - not because I don't want to support the particular group or charity that is providing the Santa experience, just because more than a couple of times is too many!

They also vary in, let's say, authenticity. One particular Santa is pretty good and sees the children in two different grottos. He cleverly remembers them by name (small town syndrome!) so that he can check if they have been keeping their promises of bring well-behaved, tidying their bedroom, etc, etc. 

My children have known for a couple of years that the Santa that we visit in our town are actually Santa's helpers. They cottoned on pretty quickly that they look slightly different at each visit and so the truth was told! Father Christmas does exist and lives happily in Lapland with assistants employed all over the world to help collect messages to send to Santa and distribute presents to the children.

Although... they do believe the Santa at Portmeirion Village is the REAL one, namely for 2 reasons - he has a real beard and can speak Welsh! Our first language at home is English but my children are taught through the medium of Welsh and so are fluent Welsh speakers, so only the real Santa would know that they could speak Welsh, right? That's a good enough reason for me!

This year, we didn't manage to visit the Christmas markets at Portmeirion, but if you are ever near there on the first weekend in December, it's well worth a visit!

So anyway, when you're planning your December fun and festivities, take care not to have a 'Santa Overload'! It can be more magical keeping somethings under wraps...

Advent Post #11: An afternoon with Santa!

Living in a little corner of Wales is great, but when your family seems scattered around the UK (and further afield!) it's hard to get everyone in the same place at the same time! So, each December after a few weeks logistically planning a weekend in Manchester, we all *try* and meet up and have a festive weekend together as on the 'real' Christmas Day, it's impossible for us all to be together due to work and extended family commitments!

 

So....  here are some snaps of our first Christmas of the year!

 

We were even lucky enough to take a ride in Santa's horse and carriage - definitely a first for us! The elves were raising money for the Manchester Children's Hospital; a very deserving good cause!

 

Santa gave my children some homework to do for next time he sees them (ad they happily accepted it!) We had to learn the names of all of his reindeer! We managed a few whilst still in the grotto but had to think long and hard in the car later on - but we managed it (without the use of Mr. Google!).

 

So here we have them! Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and of course Rudolph!

 

My daughter has them written down now so that she can send the list off to Santa - along with some homework of his own! Learn the song 'We Wish You A Merry Christmas' in Welsh! :) Good luck with that one Santa!

 

Have you celebrated an early 'Christmas' yet this year?!

Advent Post #1: Christmas Craft - Santa Hat Ornament

Santa Hat Ornament

Decorate a red party hat or make your own smaller version to create this jolly ornament.

What you'll need:
Red party hat or red craft paper, glue, tan craft paper, scissors, black and red markers, white pom-poms, yellow paper, ribbon

Make it:

1. Remove string from party hat or form red craft paper into a cone and glue to secure.

2. Cut a 2" to 4" circle (depending on size of cone) from tan paper; draw eyes and cheeks on circle. Cut 2 ear shapes and glue to back of circle. Glue to middle of cone.

3. Glue white pom-poms at the top point of the cone, around the cone above the face, and as Santa's beard.

4. Colour a black band around the bottom as the belt. Cut a small rectangular shape from yellow paper and glue to the centre of the belt as a buckle.

5. Glue ribbon hanger to top of hat.

Source: http://www.parents.com/holiday/?sssdmh=dm17.696093&day=76&esrc=nwprnts100days13_a_day76_113013#page=11

My Favourite Christmas Songs Of All Time...

Following a tweet earlier on from @crazywithtwins talking about her lastest post "24 Family Advent Activities", I thought... what can I write about that's Christmassy, festive and fun?!

After an opticians appointment and shopping trip this afternoon, we were *supposed* to be coming home to decorate the tree, put up the decorations and make some Christmas cupcakes & cookies...  Well, "fate" had other ideas!  We had finished the shopping, left the supermarket with a HUGE trolley of goodies, got to the car and the key fob decided not to work to open the car. No problem, you would think, just open the car door with the key!  Great.... until the key snaps in the lock!!!!  (Also, did I mention it's raining and there's me, hubby, eldest aged 8, youngest aged 5 and things in the trolley which really shouldn't be getting wet!!!)

To cut a long and soggy story short, clever hubby breaks into the car, manages to retrieve the piece of key from the lock and start the car using the broken bit (pushed into the ignition with the bit it should be attached to!)  So at least we got home, although now the broken bit is stuck in the ignition!!!

Oh well!  We'll worry about that tomorrow!  After I've decorated the tree with the children, that is!  Well, put the decorations on the tree - not the children!

But here's something that has cheered me up.... my top 24 Christmas songs!

1. Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer  
2. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey  
3. Little Donkey 
4. Fairytale of New York - The Pogues featuring Kirsty MacColl 
5. Away in a Manger 
6. Sleigh Ride 
7. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Frank Sinatra 
8. Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
9. Last Christmas - Wham! 
10. When Santa Got Stuck Up The Chimney 
11. Do They Know It's Christmas - Band Aid 
12. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
13. Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree
14. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin
15. Stay Another Day - East 17
16. Stop The Cavalry - Jona Lewis 
17. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) - John Lennon 
18. Walking In A Winter Wonderland - Dean Martin
19. Frosty The Snowman
20. Walking In The Air - The Snowman
21. Wonderful Christmas Time - Paul McCartney & Wings
22. Step Into Christmas - Elton John
23. Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End) - The Darkness
24. Jingle Bell Rock - Bobby Helms

And an extra one from my children...

Dymunwn Nadolig Llawen
Dymunwn Nadolig Llawen
Dymunwn Nadolig Llawen
a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda

Llawenydd i chi
a phawb yn y tŷ
Dymunwn Nadolig Llawen
a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda.

Silent Sunday 18th November 2012