And that’s a wrap – Christmas is done and dusted for another year!
You may have seen pics of the Middle Aged Family on social media, looking ‘picture perfect’ – but what was happening behind the scenes?!
Christmas Confession #1
I didn’t send a single Christmas card this year. How times have changed!
Christmas Confession #2
I had a mini stress attack on Christmas Eve, as I waited for the husbear to complete our Christmas gift shopping. There were a couple of gaps still to be filled on our list, things that required his expertise, and by 2pm he was still pottering around doing other stuff (still in his PJs I might add) … anyways, he got the hint and headed out to the shops after that π .
Christmas Confession #2
Even though I always say that we are just going to give the kidults money, we always seem to end up giving them presents. I think it’s my ‘safety/sanity mechanism’ – a way of taking the pressure off myself!
Christmas Confession #3Β
I’m glad we ended up doing presents because it’s so much fun watching them unwrap them.
Christmas Confession #4
Midst all the hoo-ha leading up to Christmas – getting work completed before the break, attending various festive functions, sorting out the Christmas menu and gifts for family etc – I didn’t even think about the gifts that I might receive …
Christmas Confession #5
… And yet I was completely spoiled π . My loot included several books and jigsaw puzzles (#nerdalert), as well as a jasmine and sweet pea reed diffuser from Ecoya, a DVD, voucher for a massage, studio selfie light stand, Australian essential oils for my diffuser, a board game, Google Nest mini, wireless mouse … the list seems endless!
Christmas Confessions #6
We slept in til 8am! Oh the joy of being empty-nesters …Β I remember those 5am starts and feeling like a zombie for the rest of Christmas Day.
Christmas Confession #7
I didn’t have a special Christmas outfit planned this year, and only ended up throwing on a red top (and Santa hat) at the last minute, thinking we might take some family pics.
Christmas Confession #8
The husbear wished he’d thought to put a nicer shirt on, given that we did end up taking lots of pics!
Christmas Confession #9
My table was definitely not ‘instaworthy’, with no fancy place settings or centrepieces but we certainly don’t feel we missed out!
Christmas Confession #10
I’d planned to serve a pavlova (first time ever) and a fruit cake (for the non-pavlova eaters) for dessert on Christmas Day – but we were all too full too even think about it, let alone eat it!
Christmas Confession #11
I’d bought raspberries, strawberries and a tin of cherries to put on top of the pav. Would you believe, I’ve never eaten fresh raspberries before? So while the pavlova didn’t eventuate, the raspberries quickly disappeared. I have a new favourite fruit!!!
Christmas Confession #12
The kids arrived about midday but we were so busy opening gifts and having fun we didn’t eat lunch til about 3.30pm!
Christmas Confession #13
And then we went outside to work off some of the Christmas lunch, by shooting some hoops and blowing bubbles.
Christmas Confession #14
Fleur (#worldsworstcat) didn’t get a Christmas present from Santa (must have been on the naughty list, LOL) …
Christmas Confession #15
But Sophie did, a tiffany blue ribbon to add to her extensive collection!
Christmas Confession #16
The husbear got one of those 3D image books. I have long HATED these, try as I might I can never see the 3D image … but Christmas Day I finally ‘got’ it!!!! (It’s only been about 25 years LOL).
Christmas Confession #17
I may have shed a couple of tears of happiness after the kids had gone home (my cup runneth over). How blessed am I?!
Christmas Confession #18
I realised something momentous in the middle of our Christmas Day: I don’t hate Christmas anymore. Sure, it wasn’t great when I was growing up, but over 30 years have passed since then.
This year marked my 34th Christmas with the husbear, and they’ve been pretty wonderful since then.
In fact I would go so far as to say this was the BEST. CHRISTMAS. EVER.
In a year that’s been full of challenges, I feel very lucky to be able to say that, and am sending my best wishes to you, wherever in the world you may be xxx
Debbie Howarth says
Christmas Confession: I forgot to put the Xmas crackers out and found the box still in the cupboard after everyone had left ?
Janet Camilleri says
Ohhh too funny! Would you believe the husbear bought for some sparklers to play with after dark, and yep, they’re still in the cupboard π
Bec Senyard says
I felt happy reading this! Loved all the confessions Janet! Wishing you a very happy new year for 2021. Xx
Janet Camilleri says
Thanks Bec! It was a lovely Christmas. I feel very blessed x
Liz says
Great list of confessions! Loved it.
My son made pavlova for dessert and it was yummy! Mind you it was for evening dessert. We made pizza for lunch, with our new pizza stone.
It truly is a blessing to celebrate with our families isn’t it? I celebrated with my kids, hubby and mum-in-law . It was lovely.
Janet Camilleri says
We had some friends over last week Liz and I finally got to have that pavlova. Wasn’t fussed. But then it was a Coles one, not a home made one π . I’m glad you had a lovely time with family too ‘back in the bush’!
Not Sofeee says
Sophie looks so happy! #fleurdoesn’tdeserveapresent
Janet Camilleri says
Oh bow wow knows π