Almost two years ago, while I was researching our Christmas trip to Paris, which never happened in December but in April instead, I discovered something that changed my life.
How to make proper hot chocolate. The French way. You see, there’s something special about this picture: curling up on the sofa with the warmth of the fireplace on your cheeks sipping on a mug of hot chocolate. But in order for this picture to be perfect you need this secret ingredient. Believe me.
Happy new year friends! Georgie and I are still pretending we’re on holiday, at least until Monday when he has to go back to school and we will no longer be able to pretend. This time after Christmas I always feel as though my emotions have been tossed in a blender that won’t stop. The blues hit me hard as I don’t want the holidays to end but then I get excited about getting back to real life and our daily routine and being productive and getting on with stuff, which is always a good thing for slightly tense, controlling and stressed out persons such as myself. Ha!
It’s Christmas Eve! And I am staring at lists of things to do, half-watching Christmas cartoons with Georgie and waiting for papa to bring home lunch so I can get started on those cookies, which we made bright and early this morning for Santa. Christmas music has been playing non-stop, family members have been coming and going all day in preparation for tomorrow’s feast and we’re all looking forward to tonight’s traditional family gathering at my parent’s house. My mum will be cooking, the kids will be rehearsing their annual Christmas Day show while the rest will probably be fighting over which movie we should all watch. Hooray for Christmas!!!
I have some basic ideas about how I want to arrange this year’s Christmas table. They all consist of simple, effective and practical details. There will be quite a few of us so I’ll want to save on table space but if you’re having a small gathering by all means go all out and fill that baby up with candles, vases of flowers and twigs and other decorative pieces! Take a look at the pictures that are inspiring me and whatever you do don’t forget about the kids! I can’t wait for Georgie and his cousins to see their little table setup, inspired by the last picture.
I’ll be hosting Christmas Day this year. My big fat family of over 12 people and of course papa’s will be coming over and the only reason I am not completely freaking out is simply because almost everyone has agreed to cook and/or bake something. Much to my delight this also means that I can spend a bit more time sorting out table arrangements, decorations, kids’ activities and other details. Don’t worry, I’m not fooling myself that this will be easy but at least I am half-prepared because I have an awesome playlist ready and we all know that music makes everything better. So if I end up f***** up the ham and not buying enough napkins, we’ll be happy enough dancing to this alternative Christmas mixed tape.