Reading a list like this makes me really wonder why we don't have Christmas every week - or at least some kind of festival. Thinking I might go full Druid
Your 'that one decoration that makes no sense....with a mythical status' made me smile, we have "The 9p Wonder". The 9p Wonder is an undernourished looking fake Christmas tree, bought in 2018 when I worked at the co-op. Just before Christmas all the deccies were reduced to 10p to make sure they sold instead of taking up room in the stockroom for 10 months. So I grabbed the tree and got 10% staff discount on it too 🤣. We still decorate it every year and everyone we know asks after it
My favourite good small Christmas thing has become THIS, Alice from you! I’ve had a variable relationship with Christmas over the years [likely to do with split/blended and step family in my childhood and formative years - and then with the profession I chose involving working shifts covering 24/7 365 days] but I’ve grown to realise that I actually do love all the little traditions of Christmas and this time of year. I agree with all yours, and everyone else’s little favourite loves.
It’s interesting but Lapland UK has never hit my radar until this year. I saw the tv programme on it and I thought hmmmm. I genuinely thought to myself “I wonder what Alice’s thoughts on this place are?” - as you have little C whom you might take. My children are past the ages that it would be suitable for now. Then - as if by magic, and as though you had read my mind - in Good Small Christmas Things, you said …. Forget the matching pyjamas and the trips to Lapland UK, look more closely at the everyday stuff and you’ll realise that there’s something different - and quite lovely, really - afoot. I feel like I have found my tribe in this community, thank you.
Finally, this is what especially makes me happy …… Leaving the fairy lights on and the curtains open and getting to see the tree welcome you home. Seeing the lit up tree in the window is a joyous lift as you arrive home. Xxx
This means so much, Maria! Absolutely honoured to have become the creator of a good small Christmas thing. Lovely tree, I’ve so enjoyed it this year. Wishing you a very happy New Year, Maria, so chuffed we can be your tribe x
Lighting an abundance of candles as soon as it gets dark. And moving differently round the flat due to moving furniture to fit the tree and other decorations in. Patches of floor I never normally walk across!
something i find lovely every year is the return to my parents house - the moment when i open up the heavy door and it just smells of christmas. it’s nothing in particular, just a mish mash of candles, dinner cooking and the scent of a place that feels like home.
Candles lit all day everyday, vases of eucalyptus and berries, wreath on the door, advent calendar candle, music on the radio, mince pies for elevenses and cheese cheese cheese! Merry Christmas, Alice, and thank you for your words this year - they have brought me joy x
It's the wreath on the door. I'm stepping into Christmas as I walk over the threshold. The smell and bristly texture of evergreens has a comforting pagan feel to it.
So many good small things! I concur wholeheartedly on the central column of the choc orange and bread sauce with everything please. I'd add candles and fairy lights on at all times of day and night (happy to keep these through Jan too), surprise Christmas cards, saying hello to decorations like they're old friends and the physical act of wrapping presents - I love it!
I love wrapping presents too, but it was a bit of a marathon this year… nevertheless agree with all of the above. Big tradition of greeting the tree fairy upon her waking up in our household.
Reading a list like this makes me really wonder why we don't have Christmas every week - or at least some kind of festival. Thinking I might go full Druid
I have often thought this. Wonder if it would make the year feel it like it was going very fast or somehow more slowly…
My bed pre-warmed with a hot water bottle when staying at my in-laws. A small, quiet act of care that makes me feel fuzzy and cherished.
That is such a lovely thing. I’m so glad you are taken care of in this way! X
People letting people out at crossings and generally being nicer on the roads. I’m convinced it’s because of Christmas songs on the radio.
Almost naturally creating (and enjoying) a seasonal nesting area, tree and all.
Using semi-posh festive room sprays in the loos as some sort of diffuser / toilet freshener hybrid. For a few weeks only.
The slightly forced-at-first joy of writing Christmas cards and then wondering why you don’t set aside time to write letters to friends more often.
Or my favourite, seeing the condensation on the kitchen windows late morning as the cooking gets into full swing.
Window condensation! Yes!!! Also really enjoying the clarifier of “semi-posh” - spot on 😅
Your 'that one decoration that makes no sense....with a mythical status' made me smile, we have "The 9p Wonder". The 9p Wonder is an undernourished looking fake Christmas tree, bought in 2018 when I worked at the co-op. Just before Christmas all the deccies were reduced to 10p to make sure they sold instead of taking up room in the stockroom for 10 months. So I grabbed the tree and got 10% staff discount on it too 🤣. We still decorate it every year and everyone we know asks after it
YES!! This is exactly what I had in mind x
My favourite good small Christmas thing has become THIS, Alice from you! I’ve had a variable relationship with Christmas over the years [likely to do with split/blended and step family in my childhood and formative years - and then with the profession I chose involving working shifts covering 24/7 365 days] but I’ve grown to realise that I actually do love all the little traditions of Christmas and this time of year. I agree with all yours, and everyone else’s little favourite loves.
It’s interesting but Lapland UK has never hit my radar until this year. I saw the tv programme on it and I thought hmmmm. I genuinely thought to myself “I wonder what Alice’s thoughts on this place are?” - as you have little C whom you might take. My children are past the ages that it would be suitable for now. Then - as if by magic, and as though you had read my mind - in Good Small Christmas Things, you said …. Forget the matching pyjamas and the trips to Lapland UK, look more closely at the everyday stuff and you’ll realise that there’s something different - and quite lovely, really - afoot. I feel like I have found my tribe in this community, thank you.
Finally, this is what especially makes me happy …… Leaving the fairy lights on and the curtains open and getting to see the tree welcome you home. Seeing the lit up tree in the window is a joyous lift as you arrive home. Xxx
This means so much, Maria! Absolutely honoured to have become the creator of a good small Christmas thing. Lovely tree, I’ve so enjoyed it this year. Wishing you a very happy New Year, Maria, so chuffed we can be your tribe x
Why and how is the middle bit the best? One of life’s greatest mysteries (that requires repeated investigation.)
Yes we must conduct more research I think x
This! So so good!
The silence of a Christmas Day morning before the world stirs.
💯
If you wake up early enough, that feeling that the world has stopped... just for a moment...
Exactly. Proper magic x
Lighting an abundance of candles as soon as it gets dark. And moving differently round the flat due to moving furniture to fit the tree and other decorations in. Patches of floor I never normally walk across!
Oh I love this observation. There’s something in shaking things up, isn’t there?
something i find lovely every year is the return to my parents house - the moment when i open up the heavy door and it just smells of christmas. it’s nothing in particular, just a mish mash of candles, dinner cooking and the scent of a place that feels like home.
This is such a good small thing and I’d not thought about it before but you are deeply right; thankyou!
Candles lit all day everyday, vases of eucalyptus and berries, wreath on the door, advent calendar candle, music on the radio, mince pies for elevenses and cheese cheese cheese! Merry Christmas, Alice, and thank you for your words this year - they have brought me joy x
CHEESE oh god how could I forget. And to you, Clare, very glad to hear it xx
The peculiar smell of hot radiators when you crank up the heating.
Secretly nibbling bits of marzipan when you ice the cake
Fish pie on Christmas Eve
Red tights
Wearing my favourite reindeer brooch
Unlimited cheese….
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes!
It's the wreath on the door. I'm stepping into Christmas as I walk over the threshold. The smell and bristly texture of evergreens has a comforting pagan feel to it.
Doesn’t it just x
So many good small things! I concur wholeheartedly on the central column of the choc orange and bread sauce with everything please. I'd add candles and fairy lights on at all times of day and night (happy to keep these through Jan too), surprise Christmas cards, saying hello to decorations like they're old friends and the physical act of wrapping presents - I love it!
I love wrapping presents too, but it was a bit of a marathon this year… nevertheless agree with all of the above. Big tradition of greeting the tree fairy upon her waking up in our household.
Front doors adorned with greenery.
Yes!!!
Merry Christmas, Alice. xx
You too, Clary xx
The middle bit of Terry’s Chocolate Orange. YES.
Every time!