A curious Christmas

I took part in the fabulous Curious Christmas project from The Curiosity Box (aka wedding planner Tiffany Grant-Riley) over the festive period.

For those who haven't come across it, the idea is to create a box of festive curiosities for a stranger, and receive one in return. Participants provide their address and a bit of blurb about the things they like, which Tiffany swaps around. You fill a box with curious gifts (bought, found or made), and when you get a box of your own you 'share the love' on the Curiosity Box blog. Such a simple way of spreading happiness and bringing people together!

It was such a joy pulling together items for the box I was making, then keeping an eye out on the blog to see whether it was appreciated (funny that so many boxes seem to have suited their recipients so well!).

And receiving a box of my own filled me with all sorts of warm and fuzzy. I can't wait for the next curious project.

Advent day 24: Not sure Rudolph will be flying tonight...

1 sleep yippee!

Advent day 23: Mince pies at the ready

2 sleeps...

Advent day 22: Frosted fingers

3 sleeps...

Advent day 21: Christmas post

4 sleeps...

Advent day 20: Shy Rudolph

5 sleeps...

Advent day 19: Isn't he meant to have a carrot nose?

6 sleeps...

Advent day 18: Amaretti

7 sleeps...

Advent day 17: Christmas cupcakes

8 sleeps...

Advent day 16: Reindeer flight plan

9 sleeps...

Homemade Christmas

My mission to make more Christmas presents this year, instead of going mad in the shops, isn't going too well; I'm missing a bit of the knitting pattern so I'm having to guess it, and I haven't even found material for my sewing bits yet. I'll probably end up staying up the night before again, frantically trying to finish it.

I'm home in Durham for the week because we're at the in-laws for the holidays, and while Mum was rooting around in Gran's loft for the Christmas tree today she came across a bag of things that her gran had knitted her when she was a girl.

There was a family of rabbits, a cuddly elephant with an embroidered rug, a couple of beautiful dresses and some tiny hand-knitted undergarments for mum's Sindy dolls.



Best of all though was a patterned beret-style hat that is just right for Ella. No matter how much I practice I'll never be able to knit such delicate things.


Ella modelling the hat

I thought I'd bake some Christmassy goodies too, which I'll have to leave until next week, but we're in charge of Christmas eve supper this year (onion tart with salad and Mark's tasty crumble), so I'm not sure there'll be room in the kitchen. The good news is that now Logan is officially allowed to eat wheat he can help me with some of the baking! The bad news is that I'll have to let him lick the spoon :(

Advent day 15: All that glitters

10 sleeps...

Advent day 14: Christmas jewels

11 sleeps...

Advent day 13: Italian Christmas

12 sleeps...

Advent day 12: Frosted tips

13 sleeps...

Funniest moment of the day

We were sitting in the Globe theatre, halfway through the tour guide's spiel about outside noise disturbing performances, when we were interrupted by the sound of many feet stamping past and cries of "What do we want?...When do we want it? Now!"

We all assumed students, but no, it was the annual Santathon. Genius.

Advent day 11: The 'real' Santa Claus

I hate that he's owned by a corporation. Bah humbug.

14 sleeps...

The Unthanks at the Union Chapel

I could listen to The Unthanks at any time of year, but there's something about the tone of their voices, the haunting melodies and harmonies and the beautiful strings, that really suits a cold winter's night. The Union Chapel, too, with its church pews and vaulted ceilings, is perfect at Christmas.



The gig was a bit of an experiment - a first half of Anthony and the Johnsons songs and a second of Robert Wyatt covers - but the arrangements really suited the Unthanks sound. For Today I Am A Boy was particularly beautiful, and the tricky string accompaniments were stunning, especially the cello, which always gets me right there. They even managed to squeeze in a bit of clog dancing!

It was a real pleasure to spend a couple of hours in the company of Rachel, Becky and the band (and the baby bump, which Rachel announced to cover up her mistake - nice recovery!). A total joy of an evening, the perfect start to Christmas.

Advent day 10: I am the snow king

15 sleeps...

Advent day 9: The wise man brought gold

16 sleeps...