Christmas 2011

Christmas lights!

Santa's set up

Opening presents

Still opening presents

Jessie lost her hat to Mack

Loving to roll about

Opening presents at Noni's house

Christmas lunch at Noni's - playing with Cracker toys

Dinosaur love!

The mister and I :)

Want to play? Join in the fun - Faith Hope & a Whole Lotta Love and My Little Drummer Boys.

Christmas Polly

Miss Polly is on holidays, Christmas holidays. Thea's Polly is also getting dressed lovely for Christmas, giving me some Polly loving!

This is what she'll be wearing Christmas day with the family. Comfy and practical yet with a touch of glam. Much like the celebrations. 

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Polly by tutuames

Christmas Shopping Tips

I've had this in my journal for a few weeks BUT I've left it too long to make much sense this year but these tips can be for any/every year. 

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This year our household has been in Christmas denial including not putting up any decorations. A lot of other people in our lives, especially little people, are not in denial of any kind. Christmas is still happening which means shopping must be done. Here are my hot shopping Christmas tips;

1. Shop early in the year and lay-by. We use the July toy sales to buy for Christmas and the next years birthdays (luckily for our family all birthdays are before July). This option also reduces clutter and the need to hide Christmas gifts from little snoops. It's been a good option for our family so far but with lufflump getting older and pickier with his toys it could get harder. The kid wasn't into dinosaurs when we put the lay-by on but the rest of the family can make up for what we miss out on.
2. Shop early in the day and never on weekends in December. If you must enter the shopping centres in December try and shop before 10am Monday to Friday. Obviously this won't be easy for those who work but if you can do it, do. The shops seem quieter early in the day too. Avoid Thursday night shopping if you can, it's bedlam. Also, try to do all your shopping before school holidays. I know I may have a child but it doesn't mean I like children or groups of teenagers.
3. Shop Online. Buy as much as you can online but make sure you check out their shipping times so you don't miss out. If you're organised try and buy in November. Unique stores on madeit and etsy are wonderful for special gifts but again be careful to read the seller's shipping conditions, the last thing you want is the gifts turning up in January. Westfield and a lot of other stores have online stores so you may be able to shop online rather than setting foot in the centre. Please watch out for scams though, make sure wherever you purchase from are reputable. 
4. Make gifts. I'm not arty or crafty. I try but most times I fail. That doesn't mean lufflump or the mister aren't crafty though which helps. Since lufflump was born we've made gifts for his grandparents and great grandparents. They include photo frames, photo calendars, hand and feet casts and painted canvases. Not only has it saved us money, lufflump has fun doing them and the receivers love them and they really are priceless gifts. It makes Christmas time less stressful as they can be done at any time, we usually do ours in November.



Handmade gifts for the grannies

5. Buy a charity donated gift. Some people don't like giving or receiving these gifts. We've received them before and were more than happy. It's easy to do and it's going to people who really deserve it. I'd love a million things this year but don't really need them or have the space. Also these are the perfect gifts for the person who insists they want nothing, the extremely fussy person and the returner. Personally, I like the Oxfam gifts as they are specific where the gift is going and to who. Plus they state what percentage goes to admin, advertising and the receiver.

There is still time if you are in denial. Some online stores are doing quick deliveries so your gift arrives before the big man. Otherwise kind of forget that Christmas is even on it's way, like we are.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Piquing My Pinterest Christmas Cake Edition

It's almost Christmas time so I'll be doing Christmas Pinterest editions, this one is interesting Christmas cakes.

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I'm joining up with Tina and a bunch of other Pinterest addicted bloggers. Check them out here.

Piquing My Pinterest Christmas Tree Edition

It's almost Christmas time so I'll be doing Christmas Pinterest editions, this one is interesting Christmas trees.

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1. A Christmas tree made out of pillows! This would be so much fun at a Christmas sleepover. Just dismantle the tree while watching movies then put it back together in the morning.

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2. A book nerd's dream. So effective! A mini book tree could be done too for an Advent Calendar. 

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3. A vegetable tree. What a centre piece! A yummy one too. If we were having a Christmas lunch here I'd so be tempted to do that.

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4. A Christmas tree mobile. So effective! Not really toddler friendly though and imagine packing that away so it doesn't get all tangled. Not sure I'd be brave enough to try it but it's a good idea.

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5. Feather tree. Fluffy goodness! Very interesting and would be fun to have as a centre piece. You could even get different coloured feathers to make a rainbow or Christmas coloured tree.

I'm joining up with Tina and a bunch of other Pinterest addicted bloggers. Check them out here.

Christmas Food!

I have a sweet tooth. Blame my father for being a chocoholic. 

The mister has a sweet tooth. Lufflump does not have a sweet tooth. Unless you count fruit. He doesn't like chocolate or anything overly sweet. I don't know where he gets it from. Strange child.

Christmas is the best holiday for desserts. We usually have at least a pavlova and trifle. Cheesecake used to be a staple as well, the proper German cheesecake too made by my Oma. 

I've never had a Christmas Cake or Fruit Mince Pies. Honestly. I can't be the only one right? Please tell me I'm not the only one. Thankfully Bakers Delight came to the rescue and I've now had both along with some lemon tarts. I did like the lemon tarts the best, but I still liked the fruit mince pies and Christmas cake. The Christmas Cake even came in a keepsake cake tin!

Fruit Mince Pie with ice-cream - second only to whipped cream!

My dad, the mister and lufflump all indulged too. In fact I had to fight the mister to get some in my belly, he was definitely a fan. We all agreed that the pastry was AMAZING! We had the Christmas Cake and Fruit Mince Pies with whipped cream, yum! I'll be more than happy to include these three desserts into future Christmases. In fact, I KNOW we'll be taking the lemon tarts to family Boxing Day celebrations. I'm not too sure it'll make it to the celebrations, we may eat them on the way in the car.

Cheeky dinosaur ate my lemon tart!

Bakers Delight have given me three $10 vouchers to send out to three of my readers which can be very helpful for Christmas. Bakers Delight has such a good range and I've never been disappointed with their service or products.

Christmas Cake - ours did not look this neat after I hacked into it.

To enter tell me your favourite Christmas dessert in the comments below. I'll choose the three yummiest entries (according to my tastes) to win a $10 Bakers Delight voucher in time for Christmas! Entries close midnight Saturday 17th December 2011. Unfortunately this competition is only open to Australian entrants and only one entry per household please.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary pack of Lemon Tarts, Fruit Mince Pies and Christmas Cake courtesy of Bakers Delight. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.

Piquing My Pinterest Christmas Holiday Edition

It's almost Christmas time so I'll be doing Christmas Pinterest editions starting with destinations where I would love to spend Christmas.

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1. I have no idea where this is but I'd like to live here not just at Christmas. Imagine Christmas day on the balcony stuffed full of good food watching the kids play on the beach. Lovely!

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 2. Germany Christmas market. It's just amazing. I'd love to visit my family over there too and what better time than at Christmas?

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3. New York. Ice skating, Central Park, shopping and hot chocolates. Perfect Christmas.

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4. Greece. How beautiful are all the lights? I'd love to just stroll down this road hand in hand with the mister.

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5. Again I have no idea where this is but the lights and fog just make me want to jump right in the photo and sit on that chair. Magical.

I'm joining up with Tina and a bunch of other Pinterest addicted bloggers. Check them out here.

Lufflump's Wish List

While lufflump doesn't talk too much he still makes his likes and dislikes known. Every catalogue that happens to have toys in it gets the lufflump approval. It keeps him occupied for close to half an hour each catalogue so we definitely know what he does and doesn't want from Santa. Here's his letter to Santa for this year.

Dear Santa,

Mummy wrote her wish list earlier this week. Let's face it, she hasn't been THAT good and I know daddy won't pick up where you leave off meaning her list was pointless. Mine isn't. I've been a very good boy so I'm sure to be on the Nice List. 

I love dinosaurs. They have big dinosaur toys at daycare and I'd love some at home. I've brought a few home as hints but mummy and daddy haven't bought any for me yet. Maybe there is something wrong with them?

I also love animals and want bigger wild animal toys to play with. I did have a lion that roared but I lost it. I don't care if they don't make sounds as I do a good job of that.

Mummy and I love painting but it's hard painting on the floor or a big table. I know we'd do more painting if I had an easel. That's what mummy says. She also says that one with a tray for my paints would be best.

I love the movies Cars. My favourite toy ever is a Lightning McQueen car but I keep leaving it at Noni's. Mummy says there are now four there. I'd like lots more Cars toys please.

Thank you Santa. I'll be a good boy next year too.

Love Lufflump

xoxo

Christmas Wish List

Dear Santa,

It's less than 30 days until Christmas Eve and I understand you are VERY busy. I'm sure I'm on the Nice List but I haven't yet told you want I'd like for Christmas. I'm sure I've said I want a lot of things but this is my final Christmas Wish List.

1. Macbook Air 2. Macbook Air Case

Tax time I was all set to get a laptop BUT a small car bingle caused our laptop money to go to an insurance company (like they don't have enough already). This Christmas I would love the above Macbook Air and hard case. It would mean I'd be able to easily blog in bed, at the park and on the couch. I'd be able to use the laptop while the mister or lufflump used the computer. 

 1. Hermes Desk 2. Hermes Desk Add On 

As I mentioned last week, I love our desk but it's a bit small. I can't really have a book open on the desk while being on the computer. It makes studying difficult and the mister will be doing some serious study for the airforce in the next few months. I love the Hermes desk and add on above, it'd be perfect. It could probably even fit where our current desk is and we'd convert our current desk back into a bookcase which would be more storage! Perfection.

1. Electric Garden Charger 2. Rhythm Clock 3. Kate Spade Chair 4. Genie Lamp

Little bits and pieces I'd love. The electric garden charger would look awesome on our new Hermes desk plus it's functional! 

How awesome is the clock?! We don't have a clock hanging up and it's frustrating. I wouldn't mind one of these clocks in our bedroom and lougeroom - different colours too please.

Our current desk chair has lost it's comfort. The mister thinks it's from all three of us sitting on it at the same time. I think it's from the chair just not harding the fuck up. Either way that Kate Spade chair is a trillion times better than our current Officeworks chair and would look so brilliant with the Hermes desk.

That lamp is perfect for my bedside table. It also comes in blue and green so the mister doesn't have to be stuck with pink. I need to girly the place up though and bring more pink in. This lamp would be a wonderful start.

So Santa if you could bring all or just one of the above items I'll promise to stay nice next year too. Lufflump is in the process of writing his list and the mister is a grinch so don't expect one from him. 

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Love Ames xxx

Christmas Goodies

Last week a courier came with some goodies! I was so excited I almost jumped onto the poor courier man to get my package. Then I saw the box.

Great so Mr Courier Man thinks that I was all excited about incontinent products for MYSELF rather than nappies for lufflump. Anyway, I ripped open the box, got the goodies out and started snapping. I think the photos show not only how adorable the nappies are but also how unimpressed lufflump was at the impromptu photo shoot.

Long legs not thanks to me

Not participating

I love Huggies nappies, they fit so much better than any other brand we've tried and they hold more wee than other brands too. These special edition Huggies Christmas nappies are just adorable! Perfect for the hot weather, just chuck on a Christmas shirt or singlet and lufflump is set for Christmas celebrations. Unless it rains then he'll have to wear pants but it never rains (it will this year now). 

I wish sesame was here already so she could wear the girl ones, so adorable!

Huggies also have a fun Christmas app out available here. It allows you to turn any clear photo into a Christmas one. Sometimes it's a bit hard detecting a face with glasses, especially sunglasses, but that just means you get to take more photos! It's so much fun, I honestly wasted hours on it last night.

I have a special offer for all you wonderful people out there. No competition either. The Huggies Christmas e-book isn't available for over a week yet you can get it here NOW! 

This e-book is awesome and packed with Christmas recipes, a planner, games, songs, apps, books, movies, decoration tips, crafts and present ideas. I plan on doing some of the recipes and crafts and I usually would not do either, but they are so simple and fun! Also any Christmas e-book that includes Slade, Wham! and Louis Armstrong as Christmas song suggestions. Also Bad Santa and Unaccompanied Minors as movie suggestions definitely is a win in my book. Mum's may I also suggest 'accidentally' sending the Mum Gift Ideas out to your entire contact list like I don't plan on doing.

Are you planning on buying special Christmas products?

Huggies Christmas Nappies are available for purchase at Supermarkets, Chemists and Online (for a limited time during the festive season) - RRP is $20. They are available in Crawler, Toddler and Walker sizes only.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary pack of Christmas Huggies Nappies, pack of normal nappies and wipes courtesy of Huggies and Brand Meets Blog. No financial payment was offered nor accepted for this post. All opinions expressed are purely my own.