Gemma in the Cotswolds

LIVING & RAISING RAINBOWS IN THE COTSWOLDS
Memories

Our Christmas Eve Box

Our Christmas Eve Box

Every year since Izzie was about 2 we have made a Christmas Eve box/hamper. In previous years the box has been under the tree on Christmas eve morning, but this year our elf Scout will be leaving it as his departure present. We always put the same sort of things into it – treats and activities the kids can do on Christmas eve, and a few ways to keep them calm and to settle them into bed so they get a good nights sleep before the big day. I have made a video on our box which I will also…

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Memories

Oh Christmas Tree

Oh Christmas Tree

Every year the weekend that is closest to the 1st December we go and pick our christmas tree. The year this was Saturday 27th November. We went less than 5 minutes down the road to the Charlton Park Estate and had great fun wandering around the trees before finally picking one. Here are some of our photos from the day. We also vlogged our trip and I will leave the link below….                             Here is our blog – be sure to pop over to youtube and check…

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Interiors

How we Decorate for Christmas (2016)

How we Decorate for Christmas (2016)

A bit of a photo heavy post to document how we have decorated for Christmas this year – I love that most of our decorations are sentimental or have a memory attached to them. I love Christmas, and I get the tree, lights and decorations up as soon as I can. I love the house looking festive. Without further ado here are our decorations for Christmas 2016….                                                  

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Beauty

My Christmas Wishlist

My Christmas Wishlist

I love Christmas – have I mentioned that before?… I love the planning, I love the food (and cooking it) and I LOVE buying the presents for everyone. I am one of those annoying people who finished their Christmas shopping at the end of October… My mum always wants a list of what I would like for Christmas, so this year I thought I’d oblige her (and anyone else who wants to buy me a pressie haha) and write my Christmas Wishlist for 2016….   1. Joules ‘Pop a Pom’ Hat and Keyring £24.95 and £9.99 I’m a hat lover,…

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Brand Collaborations

The Gift of Books this Christmas #storiesforlife (Sponsored by Penguin Random House)

The Gift of Books this Christmas #storiesforlife (Sponsored by Penguin Random House)

I came home the other day from a particularly stressful school run, you know the ones where no one remembers what they are supposed to and you end up back home feeling like you’ve run a marathon, and I was pleasantly surprised and excited to find a parcel pushed through the front door. It was probably the prettiest envelope I have seen – it was electric blue and had snowflakes all over it. Brit Mums and Penguin Random House Children’s books had kindly sent us three lovely books as part of their #storiesforlife campaign. As an avid reader, reading is…

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Memories

Our Christmas Traditions – Movie Nights

Our Christmas Traditions – Movie Nights

As soon as the weather gets colder, and the nights start getting darker, and I know the summer is over,  movie nights/afternoons become a regular occurrence in our house. There is nothing better than getting everyone snuggled on the sofa under a blanket – especially after a long day or an outdoor walk. Sunday afternoons in my opinion are made for dog walks and sofa snuggles. Movie Nights become that more exciting towards the end of November when the christmas movies come out. We have a huge cuddly blanket that my mum bought me last christmas from M&S, and that…

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