Christmas is (already) here!

We put up the Christmas tree yesterday, now it really feels like Christmas! I collected the tree from the local florist on my way back from work, I struggled a little bit to carry it home but I was too excited to see Emilia's face to leave it there...and she didn't disappoint. She was over the moon! A few of our neighbours had put their lights up already and Emilia has been asking to look at them every night. I knew she wanted something at home too. At first, I thought it would be easier to decorate the tree while Emilia was sleeping but then I realised that she was an important part of the whole process. And she was very good! 

We love the way it came out, it's a short, chubby, full, and lovely Christmas tree with decorations from different parts of the world, Italy, Denmark, Sweden and England! Do you like it? 

And while the tree is up, we enjoy some Christmas crafts...one of Emilia and mummy's favorite activities! 

P.S. In case you were wondering what it looks like outside our building, here is a picture for you. Beautiful uh!?!

Speaking of Christmas...

And while the city gets ready for the biggest holiday of the year, at home we are starting to work on some Christmas decorations ourselves! 

My mum and grandmum were in town for a few days and they flew with a huge Xmas tree as their handbag (!?!). A beautiful fabric tree, entirely handmade by my mum for Emilia! Emilia loved it so much that she didn't seem to care at all about all the other gifts they brought along, Peppa Pig books and stuffed George included! One day I hope to be able to spend enough time with my mum to sit down and learn how to make myself all the wonderful things she can make. I like to think I am quite crafty myself but I am absolutely nothing compared to my mother. Emilia is fascinated by the whole concept of making something, she loves sitting down at the table and work on an activity. It's in our blood and I hope to be able to teach her as many things as possible and spend as much time together crafting and making things! Is there anything more charming than sitting at a big table making things and seeing your products getting life, perhaps next to a fireplace and while sipping a nice and hot cup of tea?!? I don't think so. Even better if my mum and grandmum are around, it brings me back to when I was little and every weekend we would work on a project together, baking, sewing, stitching, you name it. Good times. 

Back to the tree,  it is so big that it cannot be hung anywhere in our flat, so for the moment it has been moving around from the couch, to our bed and now on a bench in our bedroom. Who knows where it will end up next?! Emilia stops to admire it and say *bello* every time she passes by it. It's made of linen, cotton, pom poms, ribbons and beautiful gold stars. Entirely handmade by my mummy! I am so proud.

 

We, Emilia and I, certainly cannot achieve such level of perfection but we have worked on some little Christmas craft too. When my mum and grandmum left yesterday afternoon the flat was a bit empty so, to cheer everyone up, I put all sorts of little decorations on the table, pom poms, buttons, hearts, butterflies, reindeers, ribbons, bows, and other things to decorate foam Christmas trees. Emilia was in heaven, she loved it! I told her she was going to make her own Christmas gifts to give away to the people she loves and she started listing all the names of the people who should receive it...she has made seven so far and there are eight more to make, if you are in luck, you'll get one! :) 

 

 

 

 

I know it's only mid-November but to me it is never too early to start thinking about Christmas! And my very best friends share this thought with me as we have started to receive our first cards and gifts already, thanks to my very dear friend Anya!

A Customised Christmas

This Christmas was all about customisation! Just a few examples...

My mum welcomed me home with a pair of personalised slippers, which I loved. 

And I went nuts with personalised items! First of all, I made a burlap bag for all of Emilia's gifts. Needless to say, it was a big hit. However, it wasn't big enough to contain all the gifts...Emilia is one lucky (and super spoilt!) little girl!

She also received an activity book: a countdown to Christmas with different activities for each day.

I also made a similar book for Rob...in fact, it is Emilia's gift for her beloved papà. It's a little book with reasons why her daddy is brilliant, what makes her smile, what they enjoy doing together, and there are also spaces for pictures of the two.

Christmas is always special but this year my parents' house really turned into a magical space. When my mum asked me how she should have decorated the Christmas tree this year, I requested fairies for Emilia. My mum is a very crafty person but I could have never imagined she would make such beautiful fairies. They are a masterpiece. Twenty-six handmade fairies and lots of stars ornate the tree this year. They are all different and all beautiful. Well done, mum!

 

And given that fairies was the theme, my cousin Beatrice made paper fairies as placenames. Aren't they super cute? Emilia had hers, of course!

 

Overall, we had a jolly day and I am already looking forward to next year! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tree Trimming Party

And speaking of Xmas trees, this afternoon we headed to Natalie and Dave's for some good tree trimming. We had such a great time. We listened to Xmas songs, decorated cookies, built a gingerbread house, and of course trimmed a beautiful Christmas tree. There is something magical about Christmas and it was simply wonderful to spend some relaxing time with good friends. All the guests contributed with some decorations and despite the fact that they were all different, they perfectly glued together in the end, and the final product is simply amazing, I think. Have a look. 

We brought a purple felt Xmas tree that I made and four ginger-men decorations. Other decorations included vintage-looking toys, robots, gold reindeers, gold bells, knitted jumpers, and colourful baubles. 

Thanks very much Natalie for a lovely afternoon. You really put us in a festive mood. Can't wait for Christmas!!

A Baby Tree for a Baby Girl

December has finally arrived! The most magical month of all. And even if Emilia and I will be in Italy for most of the month, we thought it would still be nice to have a little Xmas tree in the house. And little it is! Happy December everyone! 

Part of this year's decorations is a very sweet rocking horse that grandmum JoAnn gave to Emilia when she came to visit back in October. It's a lovely keepsake that I hope to pass to Emilia's baby one day...