An Elf For Christmas - a Modern Family Tradition

For those of you that read my blog, you'll know that for the past four years I have partook in the tradition that is Elf on the Shelf and this year will be no different. The trouble is that with each year that passes, I struggle to come up with new ideas because lets be honest kids have fantastic memories and will soon point out to me that Buddy has previously done something.

Well this year I've had a little helping hand, some festive elfspiration if you will from those lovely people at An Elf For Christmas. Unique, these elves are cute yet mysterious and bring a real magical element to the Christmas season.

Lets Talk About Elves

We're past mid November so it is safe to talk about Christmas now. Festive traditions, we all have them and one of those Christmas traditions that we've adopted from America is Elf on the Shelf, it seems to be becoming more and more popular each year but is it another one of those things that we spend too much money on?

I done it for the first time last year and I had so much fun coming up with ideas for where our elf could be found each day and just what antics he'd be getting up to. This year I've joined a couple of boards on facebook and honestly I'm shocked at how much money everyone seems to be spending and I think this may start to put others off doing it.

It needn't be expensive.

You don't have to spend £30+ on getting the "correct" elf, I got mine for around £5 in ikea last year but it can be even cheaper than that if you know someone that is handy with a needle/hook and a ball of yarn.

Your elf doesn't have to be bring lots of gifts, infact he isn't expected to bring any. When you watch the Elf on the Shelf DVD you remember that the actual purpose of this activity is to keep your children believing in Santa Claus. If you want to add presents into the mix look to pound shops and charity shops for inspiration.

As for the elves mischievous antics, here are 25 simple ideas that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

20 Things To Do This Christmas

As Coco Cola would say, holidays are coming. The month of December to me means one thing, Christmas is coming. I love this time of year, such a magical feel to it and as a big kid myself, I like to do many activities some with the children and some by myself that manage to make it all that more special and exciting. Below I have listed 20 things to do and make during the month of December to get you and your family prepared for all of the festivities to come.

Spreading a Little Festive Cheer

I'm hoping you all have a little festive spirit within you now. Some people don't and Bazooka Candy really wanted to help add a bit of sparkle to Christmas and bring on the festive cheer. To help do that some lucky people have been chosen to receive some of their delicious candy and a special Bazooka candy santa hat.

I was so pleased when a lovely package turned up for me the girls.

Unfortunately I didn't get to enjoy the sweeties like I wanted to because a certain bunch of kids managed to reach them before I did.

However I think the candy done the trick, with Santa hat on, it is definitely beginning to feel alot like Christmas.

What sweets get you in the mood for Christmas?

xxxx

Disclaimer : I was sent these sweets free of charge however all thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Traditional Christmas

The Christmas season brings with it lots of festive traditions but I don't think there is such a thing as a traditional Christmas anymore.

There used to be the 12 days of Christmas and if I am honest, I am not even sure when that is supposed to start. A traditional Christmas dinner is Turkey but I've heard people having things like salmon instead.

People nowadays take parts of some traditions and mix it up with some of their own and we are no different in the Hazelden household, so I thought I would share with you a little bit of what a traditional Christmas is like in our home.

1. Start watching Christmas films on the 1st of November.

You probably all think I'm mad but I love a good festive film and seen as I buy atleast one new one every year, we have alot to watch and you can't watch them just once you know!!

2. Decorations go up on the 1st of December.

I like to make the most of having our decorations up, 12 days to me just isn't long enough and I think having the Christmas tree, the paper chains, the tinsel etc up makes the place feel more cosy.

3. Change my ringtone to something festive

Every year on the 1st December I pick a new Christmas ringtone, this year I have Elton John's Step into Christmas. Cheers me up everytime my phone rings :)

4. When wrapping presents Christmas music must be played and a little mulled wine helps too.

If you are like me, you probably find the idea of wrapping a mound of presents a rather daunting task. I admit I am awful at doing it, you would definitely be able to pick put which present was from me and no it isn't because I'm a tad tipsy from a glass or three of wine whilst attempting to wrap ;)

5. One sweet can be eaten Christmas eve.

I always see alot of people saying that they have bought the sweets for Christmas only to go and eat them all and need to buy more before Christmas has even arrived. In our house the sweets get bought and hidden and do not under any circumstances get opened until Christmas eve, of course after that they don't last very long at all.

6. Read the Night Before Christmas to the children at bed time on Christmas eve.

Now this is a tradition I have carried on from when I was a little girl, my daddy always used to read it to me and it is something that I have carried on with my own children, thanks to my dad buying me my own copy when I moved out. My little brother can recite the whole book without even looking at it!!

7. Open stockings on the bed before we go downstairs Christmas morning.

When I was younger we didn't have stockings, we got one present at the end of our beds, I always felt like I was missing out somehow so even before my eldest daughter was born, I had bought her a stocking ready. The trouble is I always seem to buy too many stocking fillers as the stockings are normally overflowing with gifts.

8. Presents are left on the Christmas tree to open Boxing day.

We have what are cleverly called Christmas tree presents, see what I did there! There is one present for each member of the family that is placed on the tree and left there til boxing day, just makes the fesitivities last a bit longer.

So what is a traditional Christmas like in your house?

xxxx

Christmas Lights

Yesterday it was the annual switching on of the Christmas lights in our town. Luckily for us the rain decided to disappear by the afternoon so we took a stroll into town to join in with the festivities.

My children happened to notice this year that in actual fact the Christmas lights are left up all year round they just don't get switched on until November.

It is a lovely time of year actually, you never see the town so busy, a really fabulous atmosphere.

There were school children singing Christmas songs on stage.

Rides to go on, unfortunately I was a little too big to go on them myself!!!

And to our surprise Santa had even loaned out a couple of his reindeer for the occasion, complete with some (fake) snow in the air, it really was magical, the kids were so impressed.

The children of course persuaded mummy to empty her purse too :) wriggly things all round.

Oh and not forgetting the actual reason we were out, the Christmas lights, I didn't manage to get a proper picture of the tree because the crowd was so big and me being a tiny 5ft 1 couldn't see very well but here is a glimpse of the towns lights on our walk back home.

These Christmas lights zig zag along the whole of the town, a lovely way to brighten up the place and just gets me more excited about Christmas itself!!!

Have the Christmas lights been switched on where you live yet??

xxxx