Has anyonelse noticed the distinct lack of tinsel going around this year? Must have fallen out of favour.
Our tree this year is decorated in white and glass (yes, I am making the post of my not-yet-moving baby) with a touch of red, silver and gold.
Photo by flickr user jiva
Santa
We called him Father Christmas when we were little, and we usually left a biscuit and a small glass of tia maria instead of sherry/whiskey….hmmmm I wonder why?!
Stocking
We have a family tradition that my nan makes all the stockings for the kids. Mine is pink with a picture of a cat in glitter on the front. Erin’s is red with a picture of a teddy bear in a tutu.
The first thing I saw on christmas morning was a bulging stocking draped over my presents and that was my cue to get excited as I only ever saw the familiarity of the stocking on christmas day and it is associated with so many great memories. I only hope I can create such special memories for Erin as my mum did for me. I’ll try my very best.
Shopping
In recent years shopping has been a big part of christmas, both for gifts and for food.
Photo by flickr user MarkyBon
Kerri over at play library suggests a craft box as a last minute gift. Here’s what she included…
# Googly eyes
# Feathers
# Yarn
# Glitter Glue
# Sculpey Clay (or other brand)
# Crayola Model Magic
# Construction Paper
# Crayons
# Sidewalk Chalk
# Watercolor Set
# Foam cutout shapes
# Fun scissors
# Glue sticks or school glue
# Beads
I would add;
Glitter
Fabric Swatches
Wool
Stickers
A Waterproof Craft Mat
Feel free to add your own…
I don’t really have much to say about reindeer, so check out this reindeer quiz instead.
Photo by flickr user mre770
The Queen’s Speech on Christmas Day takes place at 3pm…..sharp 
I prefer the alternative christmas message myself.
Photo by flickr user Rob Lee
Great gift suggestions from Whitney. I totally agree with the Harry Potter suggestion.
Here are a few links regarding presents and gift giving via my regular reads of 2006. Merry Christmas all.
Inhabitat presents cheap green gifts under $30, I’m particularly fascinated by the bamboo mouse which has a very reasonable price tag.
Kiddley has a guest post - cheap and easy gifts for multiples of kids. Kiddley’s a new addition to my feed, and features arts, crafts and activities for kids.
From Parent Hacks, five gifts that will make your kid rich.
Phat Mommy questions the protocol of giving teachers gifts and wonders who else should receive a gift?
Hsien and Kerri at play library inform us of the ‘Best and Worst Toys of 2006‘.
Megin at GNMParents started a great brainstorm on coupon gifts.
Erin’s second advent present was a red cushion with a cute little face, it has a sound element that sounds like a chuckle straight from a horror movie. Erin seems to like it
Our Christmas Day routine will go something like this (until, of course, it doesn’t, and chaos ensues…)
7.30ish Erin will wake up looking for her milk
7.35 I will wake up and wonder if I can put her off for five minutes
7.40 Erin’s noises will escalate from gurgling to full blown shouting
7.45 I will ‘come too’ and realise that it’s Christmas Day and get excited
7.46 I will ’spring out’ of bed (after nudging Alex, to wake)
7.47 Nudge Alex again and threaten to remove duvet…
7.48 Heat Erin’s milk, and go and say morning to her
7.50 Take her through to our room, Alex will probably feed her (I will try not to fall asleep)
8.05 Move through to livingroom to see what Santa has left
8.10 Empty stocking first, move onto presents, get strong coffee
9.30 Take a break, give Erin weetabix and put down for nap
9.35 Alex will cook breakfast for us
9.50 House will be smokey and kitchen will look like a 4-course meal has been prepared. Breakfast will taste nice
10.15 Quickly clean kitchen before Erin wakes
10.30 Play with toys for a while before getting dressed
12.00ish Drive over to Mother in laws’
12.15 Be greeted (jumped on) by dog and family members
12.16 Erin will be passed around and when the music stops (!) will chill out in her high seat for a while (I’m hoping)
12.30 Give our presents to the family and open ours
1.00 Be offered a cup of coffee, accept and slyly slip some Tia Maria in it
1.15 Be calm after sly shot of Tia Maria
1.30 Shit! Remember that Erin should have had some lunch, act like good parent and tell Alex to prepare something 
2.00 Be tired after late night, early morning and drinking in the afternoon. Doze off for 5 minutes.
2.05 Text friends to say Merry Christmas
2.20 Help prepare dinner (I’m on the prawn cocktails)
3.05 Wish that Erin would have short nap to freshen up, accept she won’t and have another tia maria
4.00 (or thereabouts) Sit down for dinner
5.00 Help with clearing up
5.30 Give Erin a bath and start settling her for bed
6.30 Spend evening playing games and having a drink
Photos from Flickr
Stockings - Katybeck
Present - Lemonad
Breakfast - AugustusGloop
Tyre Tracks - Danorak
Socks - Old Shoe Woman
Turkey - roel
Tia Maria - tallmariah
