Tis the most wonderful time of the year

Oh Christmas Tree , Oh Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is finally up and decorated.

It looks really pretty. I love all of this years' baubles; my favourite is the hand painted snowman with Theia's hand print on it. I think we are running out of room on it actually.... Second tree maybe required next year...

The fireplace is decked as well. We have three new, faux fur stockings hanging on the mantle shelf, along with our glass Buon Natale discs. Theia's a present sack ready and waiting. There is even a vase full of assorted Lindt chocolate balls - yummy, yes there is no way I'm going to shift the baby weight before 2017... I have excepted this...

We braved the madness today and went shopping at the designer outlet. I still hate Christmas shopping as much as I did last year... And the year before...

The morning was quiet. We got there early, and even managed to get the comfy seats at Starbucks, but it quickly became packed. I had to walk out of Ralph Lauren Polo as the queue was so long.... A jumper reduce to £50 from £100 was not worth it, and quite frankly people can be rather rude. I did buy a snowman shaped tub of wine gums. They were my dad's favourite, those and Turkish delight, it might sound silly but I still had to get them.

I'm sitting here, sipping on hot chocolate having just watched Miracle on 34th Street - one of my Christmas favourites, thinking of the Christmas cards I need to write and send in the next few days in order not to miss the international deadline. A job for tomorrow maybe.

I've also wrapped my first homemade present for my friend... A jar of my mincemeat. And I'm planning my next lot... Some yummy chutney - perfect for cold meats on boxing day.

My niece has made the first video message from Santa to Theia. It is incredibly cute. And I image big kids would love it too...

I'm going to sort out the letter during the week, and book the trip to meet and have a picture with Santa, so exciting!!! Just not sure if we should wait until Grandma comes over from Australia.

Operation Santa has begun!!!