Who doesn't like a giveaway?

At Sweet Blossoms Handmade we are super excited to be part of Pretty Little Piper's Massive Spring Giveaway! One of the prizes is one of our little Sock Monkey Hat & Toy sets in winners choice of colour and size!

There are over 50 other prizes up for grabs. Just head over to Pretty Little Piper's Blog and enter!!
Xxx
C

Christmas is drawing near and it makes me warm and fuzzy

Any one know how many days until Christmas? I do...41! That's right 41 days to go! So are you ready? Because I'll admit I'm not, so far I have no presents and am really struggling for ideas. I can't decide if I should do individual gifts or a joint gift for each family, let alone what those gifts should be! One thing I know is that all my gifts this year (like last year) will be handmade, which means I really need to pull my finger out.  As a large family (4 kids, 3 with their own families now) it can be a lot of gifts! We often talk of doing a Secret Santa gift giving instead, we never have though! This year I stumbled across a slightly different version that I thought would be a great laugh and I think I will suggest next year.
Stealing Santa

Stealing Santa Rules:
1. Everyone brings in two great presents, wrapped in Christmas paper, each valued at around $30, and places them under the tree.
2. Each person draws two numbers from a hat (there will be one number per present).
3. The rules are simple -
· Following the order drawn from the hat, each person will chose a new present from the middle, or steal any present already opened.
· If your present is stolen from you, you also have the choice to steal or chose a new present, but you are not allowed to steal back a present that has just been stolen from you (you can during another go if you like).
· During each go, there are a maximum of three steals and one new present allowed. Once the new present is opened, the next go will start.
· Continue in turn until all presents are opened.
4. Alliances and bargaining are allowed - use your cunning to nab the present you like the best!

Confused? Here is an example:
Person Number 1 will need to chose a present from the middle and unwrap in front of everyone.
Person Number 2 has two choices: steal that opened present, or unwrap a new present. If the present is stolen, the first person will need to choose a new present from the middle.
Person Number 3 can steal any of the opened presents or chose a new present. This time, if a present is stolen, that person has the option of stealing the other present or choosing a new present from the middle.
Person Number 4 has the pick of the three presents already unwrapped or can chose a new present. Again, if a present is stolen away, that person can steal from someone else or chose a new present. Once three steals in a row have been made, the next person must choose from the middle because only three steals are allowed per go. Play then passes to the next number to start a new go.
Etc Etc Etc... until all presents are opened.

I can just imagine the laughs that would happen in our house!

Now that we are all adults with our own lives and families we don't have many big family Christmas traditions. When I was little I remember the anticipation of having to wait until my parents were awake to open our Santa Sacks. The joy that I got from a bag full of popcorn, lollies and cheap, cheap toys was amazing. We would then head off to church for the Christmas morning service. I always remember being jealous of my friends who had already opened all their presents, where we had to wait until we got home. I now know that our parents were putting in the effort to make our day last. 

Then came (and still does!) the delicious big lunch around a big table with family. Laughing, talking, eating until we can't eat any more. Followed by the lull. That quiet time in the afternoon when everyone is tired, full and ready to relax. People drift off into different parts of the house, some reading new books, others sleeping, playing with new toys or watching new dvds. But the house is still full, full of content people simply enjoying each others company and the fun of a day spent together. Seriously it makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. 

A new tradition that has sprung up, thanks to the fact that Mum & Dad now live 30 mins away from some of the family, meaning that most of us spend the night and our love of board games, takes place on Christmas night. Everyone seems to come out of the afternoon lull, raid the kitchen for leftovers, anything from roast to salad, Christmas ham to trifle. Bowls of left overs in hand the board games start. Usually it starts with a new game, which with most of us loving board games there is bound to be at least one, and moves on to our old favourites such as Scattegories, Boggle, Pictionary and even Uno. Seriously I love Christmas and the special time I get to spend with my family!

So tell me, are you ready for the Christmas season? Have you got the presents sorted? Does you family have any special traditions? I would seriously love to hear about them!

Xxx

C