When I was growing up, I never appreciated just how much work my mum put into making Christmas a magical experience. As children, we kind of think it all just…happens, right?
How wrong I was.
Since separating from Evie’s mum, I’ve always felt pressure to deliver a magical Christmas for my daughter.
It’s not that I view it as a competition.
I’m just mindful that I don’t want Evie to be disappointed when she comes to my house.
This year was also the first Christmas we spent with Rosie, Tilly and Liza – our first blended family Christmas.
Christmas Eve without the Kids 😢
Rosie and I have similar Christmas and New Year arrangements with our exes, which in some ways makes life a little easier.
We alternate each year, which means we’ll either have them from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day or from Christmas Day to the 27th or 28th, depending on how the days fall.
This year, Rosie and I spent Christmas Eve at our house with my step-dad, Paul. We spent the evening getting the house ready for them to come over, drinking mulled wine and watching movies.
It was lovely, but not the same.
One of the hardest times of the year as a separated parent is not putting mince pies in the evening.
That sounds daft, right?
It’s meaningful to me because, although it’s only a token gesture, represents all of that amazing build-up before the big day.
Christmas Day with the Kids 😁
Christmas Day came and the house was quiet…too quiet. We both counted the minutes until we could go and get the kids.
Off we went and amazingly, we arrived home at almost exactly the same time.
After our Christmas dinner, we started unwrapping presents.
It was chaos.
I loved it.
There’s nothing more magical than seeing the excitement on the children’s faces as they open presents.
Evie has a tendency to shout at the top of her voice what the present is as she realises, which is so cute.
The children went to bed very happy, which is what it’s all about.
Over for another year
Christmas 2021 really was such a beautiful day this year.
Our hearts are full and our house is wrecked.
The way it should be.
Merry Christmas.
