an advent activities list

It's that time of year when I ambitiously plan 'Twelve dates of Christmas’ despite the fact that we never quite make it through each one. Still there’s nothing wrong with a little optimism, and I'm determined to make it through as many as possible, even if it means some of these creep into January.

1. Head to ‘Rainfords Christmas Tree Land' to pick out your family tree. For the past few years we have headed to their wonky tree section for a bargain. This year we left Marlow Autumn (for the very first time) with her aunt and uncle to continue this Christmas tradition. We wanted to keep it a special date just us this year, but more importantly she would never have fit into the car with our 8 foot tree!! I got a little teary as we left her behind, but in honesty as we walked around the field picking one out I actually forgot we had her!! I was so pre-occupied finding the perfect tree. We managed to bag such a bargain that Ryan let us get a second smaller tree for our back lounge!

Rainford's Christmas Tree Land also boasts a large Christmas warehouse where we buy our traditional sprig of mistletoe, shop their Christmas decorations and have a drink together in front of a toasty log burner. It makes for the most wonderful Christmas date, and a great way to kick off the festivities.

2. Dry oranges together and pop them onto twine to string up on the tree. This year we have two trees and we will definitely be doing this as our smaller blue spruce needs some tender love and affection!

3. Make a gingerbread house together. Every year this is on our list and every year we don't get around to it! Having never made a gingerbread house in my life I feel like this should be a priority this year!!

4. A Christmas movie night. Pop on your Jim jams, fill your mug with hot chocolate (or a glass of something to make you merry) and snuggle up in front of your favourite Christmas films. Ryan's favourite is 'Miracle on 34th Street’ and I love 'Christmas with the Coopers'. I saw it for the first time last year and it sprang right to the top of my list! If you haven't seen it, I suggest you do!

5. Get any little elves together and imprint their hand and footprints into salt dough ornaments for the tree. This year I am rooting out the salt dough recipe again so we can make some plastic free, incredibly cute, keepsake decorations for family. We have roped in baby cousin Freddie and are going to make a day of it.

6. Visit the vintage cinema in Woolton - 'Woolton Picture House’ to watch a Christmas movie. This year we are booked to see 'Home Alone'. Over the years we have also seen, 'The Grinch', 'Elf' and 'It's a Wonderful Life’. They have a charming interval break half way through the movie to buy ice cream and drinks, but their Christmas screenings book up months in advance so we always book around September time.

7. This year I am going to try and get the three of us together to take our first family Christmas photo (and if I can't manage that, I'll print off some photos of Marlow!) Whatever photo we end up with we are going to create our own Christmas cards using tit bits from our craft box. Reduce, re-use, recycle and all that! Then we will sit down together and write some to post out to close family and friends.

8. The Annual Christmas dinner with friends. This year we ate in Hafla Hafla on Lark Lane, but usually someone hosts and each guest brings along a hot dish each. It's always a little chaotic as everyone arrives, usually needing their plate warming in the double oven - but it's great fun. If you are a big group you could even take it in turns to go around the table and share something you love about each person at the table. Very festive.

9. Take a wintery walk bundled up warm. We are going to try and go someplace new, but not too far away by car as Marlow is very tempremental in her car seat and there is only so much crying one can stand whilst driving. Open to location suggestions!

10. Head out to a coffee shop for a drink and a dessert. Twinkle lights are of course compulsory for added Christmas charm.

11. Bake minced pies… my favourite Christmas snack.

12. On Christmas Eve every year Ryan and I draw portraits of one another. You heard me. We sit down facing one another on the sofa and draw (questionable and somewhat funny) pictures of one another. It's our Christmas tradition and something I hope we can include Marlow in when she gets a little bigger.