This has been a totally fabulous first year for me. A journey full of surprise, generosity, excitement and most of all, friendship.
So as a thank you I am having a little giveaway. Below is what ONE winner will receive.
Entry is super easy - simply tell me below what you love most of all about Christmas. It can be a childhood memory to a family tradition.
Now for the rules;
Giveaway is open to all Australian residents. Referring others will not gain you any extra entries. Any 'anonymous' entries will not be valid and you can enter only once.
Competition commences 8.30pm Qld time on Tuesday 13 December and ceases at 8.30pm Qld time on Sunday 18 December 2011. Winner will be notified via this blog with a link to my Facebook page when the winner has been announced. The winner must contact me to enable express posting of the prize to receive by Christmas. Failure to make contact within a reasonable time frame will delay the prize being received prior to 25 December 2011. I take no responsibility for damage or loss during transit. An express post tracking code will be issued when the package has been sent.
So this is what the winner will receive....
A Pip Studio Fantasy A5 notebook valued at $20.00. If you are not familiar with the Pip brand you can read about the Pip story here. The lovely Emma at Daisy Park in the UK has an extensive range of Pip and you can order online here.
The second gift the winner will receive is a Tocca 2.8fl oz candle valued at $43.00. I am fairly new to the delights of Tocca but I was given a Tocca candle by a friend earlier this year and am now a Tocca addict! You can see the history of Tocca here.
Lastly, to coincide with our Oceanside High Tea the third item is the Woman's Weekly High Tea cookbook valued at $19.99.
Once again a big thank you for the generous support, encouragement and good times this year.
Good luck.
Posts
57 comments:
i love that when we were little mum would put a small santa sack at the end of our bed with some present's in it, so we would think santa had been in our room:) it was special and i am doing it with my kids now too:)
My Favourite thing about christmas when I was a child was going to my grandparents house with all the family sitting around the tree - handing out hundreds of pressies, unwrapping them and having so much fun during the day - also waking up to a very large full stocking on the end of my bed full of all sorts of goodies ( oh those where the days ) :) - Merry Christmas Tout Mon Amour xx
Claire Mech
I love the family time, all the yummy food and the excitment on the kids faces!! My biggest childhood memory is going to the coast to my grandparents house with all the extended family!! Was a big celebration!
For me Christmas is a time of magic, a time when anything is possible. A time for celebrating the events of the past year with family and friends and the beginning of new adventures in the year to come. And now that I have children of my own I am re-discovering the magic of my own childhood christmas's through their eyes.
I love the Christmas magic that can bring families together - my Christmas stocking had bells attached to it but I never once heard them ring when Santa filled it each year :)
I'll always remember a Christmas many many years ago... For some reason, I've always felt like it actually happened - it felt so real! The memory is so fresh in my mind - I swear I heard the wooooosh of Santa's sleigh landing, and the ringing on the bells attached to the Reindeers. Mum and Dad used Dad's wind board to make sleigh marks on the front lawn where *Santa Landed*. They ate the biscuits and drank the milk left out for Santa and ate the carrots left out for the Reindeers. I am so glad I have such a wonderful memory of Santa xx
I can't tell you one favourite Christmas memory because every year brings something new and something else that becomes a 'favourite!' Mostly, I remember my childhood, the love of extended family, cousins, beloved grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Mum and Dad and my gorgeous sisters.. We still see all of these people over the Christmas break, although now my husband and I also visit his extended family and of course for the last 2 Christmas's we have had it even MORE special because we have spent it with our gorgoues twins.. It is my most favourite time of the year, and seeing their faces light up this year when they looked at the tree and Santa reminds me of all the 'magic' of Christmas's past....
Allison Owen
As a child my family would celebrate on Christmas Eve, open all presents then get together for a BIG Christmas Day Lunch. When I got married, we combined our traditions to suit both families as my Husband's celebrated it differently. Now with two young daughters, I am really enjoying creating the memories for them so they can carry on the traditions to their children. There is nothing like seeing Christmas through the eyes of a child!
I remember getting up really really early in the morning with my sister and peaking down the hallway to see our Santa sacks full of presents in the dim light. Then we woul creep out into the loungeroom and our Dad would be sitting at the table waiting for us to wake up. After the build up it was so exciting that the big day had finally arrived!
my fav tradition is having a massive popcorn fight with the whole extended family involved and we worry about the mess it creates later lol!
My favorite memory as a child is my brother and I would sneak out into the living room at some ridiculous time in the morning and open our Santa sacks and take every item out to see what was in them then carefully place everything back in then sneak off back to bed..I don't know if my parents ever knew about it but it was special to us and I hope one day when my kids are older they will do the same thing. :)Also leaving a carrot and bucket of water for the reindeer and seeing a partly eaten carrot laying in its place..We loved the thought that reindeer were in our living room. lol
I love spending time with my closest and dearest, with no interruptions or other external obligations. With everyone bringing a sense of expectation and excitement, especially my children, Christmas Day is relaxed but very special.
My three children is what I love about Christmas watching the joy and suprise in there eyes Christmas morning. And knowing what love and joy they bring to me.
Kirsty Hart
A little tradition I started with my son was that he was able to open one small present on Christmas Eve. But my most favourite that I have is the day after Christmas. Each year we go to the cinemas and watch a movie. To some this may not sound special, but he's now a teenager and is still happy to spend the day with his mother watching a movie and eating popcorn.
My favourite thing about Christmas is how everyone gets along nicely, no arguing, no gossiping, just sharing jokes, dreams, food & kind words! This will be my daughters first Christmas, very excited to sing carols & open few presents together, also to make our own little family tradition! i am sure it will be my best Christmas ever!!!!!!!!
love christmas cause its time for sharing with family friends have time together forgive bad moments and get well all together love the joy smiles food and yes some presents
Christmas is that time of the year when i can stop, smell the roses and appreciate family and friends. I love the moment my daughter opens her eyes to the delights of presents left by Santa and me.
It truly is a day of relaxation, laughter, Christmas lunch and mulled wine.
A day when i can really appreciate everyone that is close and dear to me.
Kerrie B
xx
the excitement of the kids eager to see what Santa has snuck under the tree, their imagination of how Santa fits everything into his sleigh.
The smiles and excitement on my childrens faces when they first wake up , :O Mummy look Santas been. I love it , makes everything better. To see such happiness in their little eyes , I love it .
What I love about Christmas is quality family time. What I'm looking forward to this Christmas and those to come is creating new and exciting family traditions with my husband and 15month old daughter!!! Who know's what we will come up with but I can't wait to find out!!! :)
Sarah Hawkins
We always travelled 12 hours away to be with my Nan and Pop for Christmas- a long trip in the car for a family of 6! It was worth it though. This is what memories are made of. My Nan and Pop would be waiting eagerly for our arrival and would rush out for hugs and kisses. We would have a large family Christmas lunch with all of our cousins, and being the youngest I would always be spoilt. This is what Christmas should be about- family and love (presents are just the icing on the cake!)russellcathryn at yahoo.com.au
My favourite thing about Christmas is tradition - decorating the tree as a family, choosing a gift for the wishing tree, opening our presents in our pj's and spending lots of time with family and friends!!
I love watching my family and friends open a gift i have given them, there is no greater gift than the gift of giving. I feel gift giving needs to be meaningful , creative and with love. After all christmas is all about the love we share with our family and friends xxx
Krystal Clarke
One of my most favourtie memories of Christmas from when I was little was making apricot balls and rum balls with my Mum. Now that I am older I have taken on this tradition and make them for all our family Christmas parties and gatherings.
The best Christmas though, will be this Christmas, I now have my own daughter, born 09.11.11. Celebrating Christmas this year is going to be so special with our little family.
The best thing about Christmas, is all my family coming together. We have a pretty big family, and every year we get together for a huge Christmas feast... Every year our family is getting bigger and bigger and it's wonderful how we still get together just as we did when I was younger,apart from 3 of my grandparents who are no longer with us.. But they are always remembered on the day <3 nanny, father and poppy <3 merry Christmas everyone
Lisa moon
lisamoon26@hotmail.com
I love everthing about Christmas, But the thing i lov most always has been my Mums christmas pudding and homemade custard , she used to always hide money it in for us to find :)
I love this year I get to celebrate Christmas with a family, my new family. I haven't had a family Christmas in 15 years and I know have ( fresh this year ) a fiancé and a beautiful blessed baby girl Edith. I remember know how beautiful and magical Christmas can be and I'm remembering all beautiful memories of my family gone and want to recreate that for our family.
Katherine Fisher
katherine_fisher1982@yahoo.com.au
Spending time with family is my favourite part of Christmas :)
natalie_bond85 {at} hotmail {dot} com
i nevr really liked christmas until my children were born, i now look forward to it every year and cant wait until stores put out their christmas stock. I love seeing the excitment on my childrens faces at christmas time
Cassandra Merrick
darryl.merrick@bigpond.com.au
Ever since we were children a real part of Christmas was putting out our Christmas Sacks for Santa - we still have our original Sacks and we all get together to put these out. Of course there are quite e few now with children of our own and as our family has grown.
I love seeing the joy and excitement on my little girls face when she see's anything to do with christmas and santa, i love how christmas brings everyone together.
Toni Slattery (toni.slatts@gmail.com)
My favourite thing about Christmas is the way peoples attitudes change on December 1st! No longer running into each other without an apology or a smile, everyone is friendly and loving and in such high spirits! It makes a trip to the shops so enjoyable for one girl who just doesnt like the shops! I also love that this is my first ever christmas with my new baby girl and i cannot wait to pass down my traditions and create new ones of my own! Oh how i love the christmas spirit!
If only we could capture it in a bottle and release a little bit each day for the rest of the year
Jess Black
jxxo@hotmail.com
The BEST thing about Christmas is the excitement in my children and spending lazy days feasting on goodies with much loved family and friends.
Leanne Cutler
nappycakes-by-lee@hotmail.com
As a child, my Christmas's were HUGE with all the family coming together and making the day so special. From helping Mum and my Nan in the kitchen to putting up decorations with brothers and sisters it was always a fantastic time. Over the years we have had a lot of deaths and so these special times have become a time to remember our loved ones. So, now that I have a baby I will try and make Christmas special again, and make new memories, not only at Christmas, but everyday. xx
Christmas is a time of joy, peace, love for all. Family coming together, sharing old memories and starting new ones. Embedded deep in the heart that remain with you forever! Spending time with those that may not be with you for much longer, with those that you may not see often. Coming together!
Arielle Taylor xx
aydesous@bigpond.net.au
The thing I love most about Christmas is seeing the look of wonder on my little ones face as she looks at the Christmas tree, flashing lights reflecting in her eyes. Then the priceless "oh wow's" as she unwraps her presents on Christmas morning. I'm so grateful for being able to enjoy the simple little joys, as I know there are so many people less fortunate.
Lynsey Stephensen
LJStephensen@gmail.com
Christmas is such a special time where everyone, even all the scrooges are that little bit nicer. Christmas brings out the best in people and brings people together.
Christmas to me means family...remembering those that are no longer here and celebrating the birth of Jesus....the look on my children's faces even though they are 19 and 22...i remember as a child going down to the creek on our property and getting a branch putting it in a bucket of sand then decorating it, this we done with our father.
I love the memories that will be created this year as it's our first with our new little girl :) Jennifer Mott
This is my second Christmas as a mummy, last year I had one baby girl and this year I have two! I always thought I loved Christmas, but I didnt realise I could love it so much more until i was able to hide presents and wrap them during the night to have my oldest wake up and go 'oooo' at the stocked up tree. Loving this Christmas family thing :)
My favourite Christmas Memory and a tradition was when my Grandma was still with us every year whether it be a stinking hot summers christmas day we would always have a traditional hot roast for lunch with roast lamb, roast pork (and lots of crackle of course), roast potatos & pumpkin, carrots & cabbage, gravey and my favorite part of all yorkshire puddings (yum yum) my Grandma made the best we would all be sitting around her huge beautiful old dining room table all sweating having this beautiful hot meal it was awesome I will always remember those christmas luches :)
I love that it brings your family all together even when they are scattered around the world. Sitting at the table and catching up on life experiences face to face
I love the magic of christmas, seeing how excited my children get when talking about santa, searching for houses with christmas lights and all the decorations! I love being able to spend time with my family and reflect on the year we have had... and i love cooking the whole big roast pork with all the trimmings like my mum did when she was alive....Jodie Henderson... jodie_25@bigpond.com
I love everything about Christmas and now having children myself I get to re-live the experience all over again with them. Hunting for Christmas trees, looking at all of the light displays, decorating our own christmas tree with my kids, quality time spent witht the family, eating waayyy to much, playing backyard cricket and swimming. My little boys are so excited about christmas, especially my eldest who now really seems to understand the entire concept. Its such a magical time :)
What I love most about Christmas is that it builds the basis of a life time of memories. My favourite childhood Christmas memory was when Santa Claus landed in our yard with his helicopter. We lived on a property out of town and it was the one year that we didn't get to go into the nearest town to see Santa, who flew from town to town in a helicopter to greet the children. His flight path took him right over our house, so as he flew past we raced into the yard and waved and waved. Santa saw us and waved his helicopter in our yard, came and visited with us. Even now, 25 odd years later, just thinking about it my heart beats a little faster with the memory of the excitement that it bought to three little children! I have so many happy memories of my own childhood Christmas' and now I am try to recreate those memories for my own children.
Jo Burns - costelloprincess@gmail.com
I love seeing our family Christmas stockings hanging lovingly on our mantle. My husband and I started the stocking tradition on our first Christmas as a married couple. I handmake a stocking for each family member for their first Christmas and every year I add an embellishment. We now have 4 beautiful children, the last of which is experiencing her first Christmas this year. Her stocking is presently sitting in pieces next to me. I can't wait to see all our family stockings finally up together this Christmas! People often remark on how special a family tradition we have! Rosana Niven
I love that we have been able to experience a whole other side of Christmas since having our babies. The pure excitment they have on thier faces at even just the christmas lights on the tree is awe inspiring. You cant get that back as an adult and its fulfilling being able to live that through them and knowing you are giving them that experience. Everything is new, everything is fresh and untainted. At this age they have the innocence of not understanding gifts so nothing is expected and every single bit of the holiday is a bonus to them.
Stacey Spithill
the_used_romance88@hotmail.com
I absolutely love the excitement on my 3 year old's face, he just lights up when he talks about it. I love us all dancing to cheesy Christmas music, especially Dominick the Donkey. But most of all, I love the food. I cook EVERYTHING for my family! x
A weird one but I only eat chocolate sultanas at Xmas time. My first taste reminds me of happy times when I was a child and my family were all together (doesn't happen anymore :() I know it's summer time the fresh cut grass smells great and the holidays are here! I'll be sharing my chocolate sultanas with my 15 month old this year. Merry Xmas everyone!
I love the magic of Christmas. In the beginning of December we sort out our toys to give to charity and my eldest (only 5) helps pick a special present to donate to the wishing tree. My mum use to collect donations for the Salvation Army appeals, and I'm teaching my daughter the true magic of giving! We then light a candle for nanny on Christmas eve before getting out the milk and cookies. It's truly a special time of year for us.
Natalie
nataliejohnson3@optusnet.com.au
The best thing is spending time with my gorgeous family the true meaning of giving and sharing special memories thinking of ones lost and loved and trying to do a good deed for someone .
I usually spend Christmas alone, but for me i love that Christmas is a time when your able to impact somebody's life for the better - It's such a special day, and can impact a whole year. I like seeing people smile when you give them a card, because then they know they aren't alone and are loved. I like the spirit Carols bring, and just feeling the love that we all have for each other, during the year it's hard to see - But it's just a lovely time of the year to be with people, and to let them know they are loved. That's my favourite thing.
Kiley xxx
Kileyizzle@hotmail.com
What we have really enjoyed this Christmas is family time driving around with our 3 young children looking at christmas lights while singing to Michael Bubles new Chrissie album. You can't beat hearing the kids sing top of their lungs to their favourite songs until their excited voices shout out as they spot some lights....the things kids say is precious and I always want to remember the pure joy from just a drive through the streets
Christmas to me, is putting the tree up on the 1st of November. A family tradition from my childhood.
It is about watching the surprise in our children's eyes when they realize that Santa has taken their letters to him from the Christmas tree only a few hours after they put them there.
Christmas is singing carols in our "best" and loudest voices while I cook with the kidlets.
Christmas is leaving special glittery oats for the reindeer to know how to find us. Delicious elf puddings & a beer for Santa.
It is tucking the kidlets into bed to read "The night before Christmas" and then having my Husband stop on the roof and shake bells - Santa and his reindeer are here - you better go to sleep!
Christmas is staying up all night putting together toys & making Christmas magick. It is about getting a minimal amount of sleep before the kids wake up ridiculously early.
Christmas now is almost exciting, getting to watch the kidlets open their gifts. Hugs and kisses. Too much food, the right amount of cheer & love, love, love.
I have my Mum to thank for these traditions that I can now pass onto my babies xx
Mandy xx
What I love about Christmas? For me its the memories, of cold, icy cold weather... and snow-enough to build a snowman! No pressies, but lots of family sitting around the table eating and drinking and being happy! xx
ps Congrats on an amazing year, and thank you for your friendship!
What i love about christmas is the thought that you are giving a gift with out expecing anything back, i also enjoyed watching my daughter,s reaction when she open her gift withfull of surprises in her face, even though she only gets a small simple gift her face shows all the happiness and excitement. :)
What I love about Christmas may seem sappy and not very witty, but for me it's simply, family and the love that exudes from total strangers to others in need for no particular reason other than the humanity of it all. I love the feeling I get inside when I see those first decorations in the stores or the feeling of summer in the air. I love it when I know it's term 4 at school and I can begin my class Christmas concert preparations and knowing that those gorgeous cherubs will reduce to me tears when I hear them sing so proudly for their mums, dads, grannies and grandpas in their tinsel and halos. I love when I hear my precious 5 year old singing the wrong words to 'Deck the Halls' like an angel sent to me from heaven. I love that I still hear my sister's voice in my memory on Christmas morning singing out through the house waking everybody up "Santa's been!!!" I love making her favourite trifle recipe for own family every year because she is no longer here to do so and my mum's rum ball recipe to remember her too. I am not sad but joyful that I can share these beautiful memories with my daughter so that she can share them with her loved ones in years to come. I just love Christmas....my favourite time of the year. Merry Christmas to everybody! xxx
Post a Comment