Tag Archives: Christmas

A perfect Christmas? They only exist on Facebook…

Posted in motherhood, Mummy life by
Katy Pearson, Sonny Jim, Christmas

An actual perfect moment: My happy boy on Christmas Day

So, how was your Christmas?

Full of cheer, festive fizz and marvellous memories to get you through the next year?

Are you still somewhat stuffed, but ready to eat drink and be merry all over again on New Year’s Eve?

If you are, then I actually imagine you are in the minority – despite what the pictures on Facebook show.

When I was little, my Grandad died on Christmas Eve. My mum had four children under six and, despite finding out mere hours earlier that her beloved dad had suffered a fatal heart attack, she managed to still put on a happy face for us on Christmas day. To open our presents with us. To laugh at our little games. To play, to eat Christmas dinner. To snuggle up and watch festive films. To keep the magic of the day alive for us all in every way. Continue reading →

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Christmas and toddlers… what a crazily fun mix!

Posted in motherhood, Mummy life by
Katy Pearson, Sonny Jim, Christmas, #whatkatydidUK

Elf life: Sonny Jim and his little buddy

Eeek! It’s almost Christmas!

I’ve always loved this time of year. The anticipation, the festive songs on the radio, the way a few sparkly lights can brighten up even the darkest of corners. The fact it’s acceptable – encouraged even – to drink Prosecco at lunchtime.

When my now husband proposed, on a sunny beach in Corsica, I had no doubt I wanted a Christmas wedding. And when we did tie the knot, on winter solstice in 2009, we had our own bit of Christmas magic… it snowed!

For years, the only thing on my real Christmas wish list was a baby. Now, this year will be my boy’s second Christmas. And it’s unlike any that have gone before.

Last year, Sonny Jim wasn’t crawling. Or chatting. Or doing much else, other than looking like quite possibly the cutest Christmas pudding ever (honestly, he’s going to hate the photos when he’s big!) Continue reading →

Bookalicious’ Llydia Bannocks reveals her top Christmas-themed kids’ books

Posted in Features, Mummy life, Shopping by
Llydia Bannocks, Bookalicious, #whatkatydidUK

Bookalicious’ Llydia Bannocks with daughter Blossom Primrose (photo charlottegreenphotpgraphy.com)

When it comes to Christmas-themed books for children, Bookalicious‘ Llydia Bannocks knows exactly what she’s looking for.

“Pages that create those magical memories, nostalgia and evokes that emotion that stays with us for years to come,” she says.

“Babies will want to discover new and exciting textures, colours and sounds and start to experience those first special sensory memories that conjure up what makes it Christmas.

“Creative, interactive reads are a huge winner, captivating even the most reluctant of little readers. Bold and beautiful laser cut detail, elaborate pop-ups bring stories to life in a three dimensional way.

“But most importantly you want an awesome story that you just want to share for years to come with your friends, loved ones and future family yourself.

“It’s never about the most famous of authors or top sellers and its never about design over substance.  When it comes to selecting the most beautiful jacketed books or detailed 3D reads, they must deliver that fabulous story too!” Continue reading →

Recipe: Mince Pie Cheesecake by BAR + BLOCK’s Paul Fletcher

Posted in Recipe by
Mince pie cheesecake, Bar + Block, #whatkatydidUK

Yum: Mince pie cheesecake

Oh hello Advent! Look, let’s be frank, the chances of me actually finding the time to make this myself are slim to none (have you ever tried Christmas shopping with a toddler?!)

But. It looks gorgeous. So I’m sharing it in the hope someone who isn’t about to spend the next month telling a one-year-old to Stop. Touching. Those. Baubles. will feel inspired.

Happy baking!

INGREDIENTS

• 150g Digestive biscuits
• 75g Butter
• 900g Full fat cream cheese
• 200g Caster sugar
• 200ml Sour cream
• 45g Plain flour
• 2 Large Eggs
• 1 Egg Yolk
• ½ tbsp. Vanilla Essence
• 200g Mincemeat

Continue reading →

Lest we forget: What to do with your poppy

Posted in Features, Interiors by
Poppy, Remembrance Sunday, what to do with your poppy, #WhatKatyDidUK

Not just for November 11: Putting your poppy on your tree will keep our armed forces in your thoughts over Christmas too

So, Remembrance Sunday has been and gone. Armistice Day commemorations have been marked with a two-minute silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

I imagine your poppy is still pinned to your lapel, your coat, or your bag… but as the week closes, what will you do with it? Keep it there, until battered by the elements, it falls off? Will you throw it away? Or stick it in a drawer, forgotten about in the muddle of pens and receipts and long-ago-written notes?

Well, if you’re keen to do something more, here’s a custom I started more than a decade ago, when my poppy fell to the floor of our little cottage.

Continue reading →

Don’t let Christmas be the death of you… is your smoke alarm working?

Posted in baby, Features, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, Today I'm trying by

When I was four years old, before I went to bed every night, I demanded my dad check the smoke alarm at the top of the stairs was working.

Thanks to this advert, I was petrified of a fire burning down my home while I slept.

TV adverts were a whole lot scarier in the Eighties. But it did its job. We most certainly had a working smoke alarm throughout my entire childhood and beyond.

And with Christmas now SO CLOSE, the scary truth is that people are 50 per cent more likely to die in a house fire over Christmas than at any other time of year. It’s not difficult to see why. Candles? Check. Roaring fires? Check. Fairy lights. Check. Lots of booze? Check.

Which is why you NEED TO CHECK YOUR SMOKE ALARM IS WORKING. And if you don’t have one, get one, for pity’s sake.

This leads me seamlessly into a service which, if you live in Essex, you would be totally mad not to take advantage of.

Continue reading →

Oh baby, it’s your first Christmas!

Posted in baby, Fashion, Katy Pearson, motherhood, Mummy life, Shopping, The adventures of Sonny Jim, Today I'm loving, What Katy Wants by

Okay. I admit it. I’ve gone a *little* bit overboard this year. But it is my first baby’s first Christmas, and I figure if I can’t indulge my inner Mrs Claus this year, then when can I?

Anyway, in pursuit of the perfect festive-wear for Sonny Jim (there are rather a lot of outfits in his wardrobe. Xmas pud? Check. Elf? Check. Reindeer? Check. Candy cane sleepsuits? Check…) I’ve come across some really lovely outfits.

So, here are some of my favourites…

Baby Shoes Rudolph, £18.95, Annabel James
Penguin Sweater, £38.90, The Bonnie Mob Doppler at Crab and the Fox
Robin Baby Leggings, £10, Blade & Rose
Star sleeping bag, £79, Mira Mira

And some, ahem, bloody brilliant sleepsuits… Continue reading →