My very favourite part of the preparations is done and dusted - the Christmas wrapping. How I love the bit where you take all the things you've squirrelled away over the past few weeks and parcel them up prettily.
Those packages have so much hope invested in them - that they make the recipient happy, or their lives a little more comfortable, or more fun. But it is in that moment of handing over something obscured by wrapping, that the true importance of the gesture seems to me to really show. I am giving this to you, because I love you and I took care over it because you are special. And in a sense, what is inside becomes the least important thing of all.
Johnny made air dried clay tags, with alphabet and snowflake stamps for our packages. He has honestly been the best Elf this Christmas. I love watching him do this sort of thing. So careful, so thoughtful and suddenly so competant - my little one is growing up.
If I don't catch you again this side of the 25th, I wish you the Merriest of Christmases. And thank you for the gift you give on every occasion you visit here and spend time with me.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Ali.
Posted by: lina | 24 December 2011 at 02:19
Merry Christmas to you and yours too Ali x
Posted by: Sue | 24 December 2011 at 08:05
I hope that you are reclining elegantly upon the divan while one son mops your brow and the other son brings freshly brewed peppermint tea. If not I wish you a wonderful, noisy and germ-free family Christmas.
Alicex
Posted by: Alice C | 24 December 2011 at 10:38
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours Ali x
See you on the other side!
Oh, and please tell Johnny the tags are brilliant!
Posted by: Annie | 24 December 2011 at 10:43
Merry Christmas to you all, Ali. Best wishes for the new year.
Posted by: Louise | 24 December 2011 at 10:43
Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas!
My favorite part is the wrapping too. But I didn't do any tags this year. I obviously need Johnny's help next year!
K x
Posted by: kristina | 24 December 2011 at 10:58
You are so right Ali - I am excited about Christmas because I'm so looking forward to seeing Amy's face on christmas morning. She's asked for suprises (bless her) and I think for her the magic of the occassion is the anticipation and excitement at seeing those packages under the tree. Hope you all have a lovely day xxx
Posted by: Julie | 24 December 2011 at 12:30
those tags are amazing! great work johnny. thanks for stopping by to say happy christmas ali. wishing you a good one and a very happy new year. x
Posted by: francesca | 24 December 2011 at 12:44
Amazing tags - what a lovely touch. Hope you're over your cold - you looked still suffering when I bumped into you the other day. Have a great Christmas and here's to 2012. xxx
Posted by: Annabel | 24 December 2011 at 13:30
These are beautiful, what a talented boy you have! Merry, merry Christmas x
Posted by: domestikate | 24 December 2011 at 13:35
Merry Christmas!
What lovely tags!
Posted by: Amanda | 24 December 2011 at 15:17
I do like those tags, well done Johnny!
Merry Christmas to you all.
Posted by: Toffeeapple | 24 December 2011 at 16:27
Chapeau to Johnny and a Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Posted by: Paola | 24 December 2011 at 17:07
We made some similar salt dough tags, but forgot to use them! Merry Christmas to you and your family Ali xx
Posted by: French Knots | 24 December 2011 at 20:32
Lovely pre-Christmas post. Happy Christmas!
Posted by: Lynne Kovan | 24 December 2011 at 22:44
Merry Christmas Ali, may it be a lovely lovely day
Posted by: driftwood | 24 December 2011 at 22:45
What lovely tags.
Wishing you and the family a very happy Christmas Ali.
G x
Posted by: Gina | 24 December 2011 at 23:29
My favourite part is not the wrapping. Clearly you're a more patient person than I am. Hope you had a lovely time unwrapping them, though.
Posted by: isabelle | 26 December 2011 at 23:36
Hope it was a lovely one. I've really enjoyed the wrapping this year too - three early mornings before the rest of the family stirred had them all packaged up, and coordinated, and pleasing to my control freak tendencies. Hurrah!
Posted by: dottycookie | 27 December 2011 at 13:29
Ahhh, but thank YOU for the gift you give us with each post. I hope you're feeling better. And I hope you've had a Very Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 28 December 2011 at 02:46
Love the tags, what a super idea. have a fabulous New Year to you and yours and keep up the blogging, love it!
Posted by: suzie sews at Dotty Red | 28 December 2011 at 09:48