As Crystal clear as a cloudy night...

Excuses, Excuses, you may sigh - but I promise I've been meaning to blog forever. But my laptop broke, sixth form is crazy and well, who blogs over sleep? definitely not me that's for sure. I've also been super busy with lots to tell you about. I'm now a column writer, can class myself as a photographer and have had my first university interview. Crazyyyy. I also tried out a new church, which I loved for its surprises, - really old building, but then passionate evangelical teaching, all the stuff I'm sure you all know I heart by now; Love in action, working with communities, delivering hope to the hopeless. Yeah, I'm sure you get the cheesy cliched modern Christian message I'm on about! I also met the wonderful Alison Tay, style editor of Now magazine for a chat in Cavern Walks on Saturday...so there will be a post coming up on that ever so shortly!

I've also been collecting a few submissions for this years Christmas Project. Remember last years? A little insight to everyone's Christmas. This year I'm asking for a wishlist. Forget phones, soap and glory and plenty of DVD box sets - I'm talking about what really matters to you. Do you want a day without arguments? Or to see family you've been separated from for years? let me know if you fancy having it up on here - no names if you wish.  holytightss@hotmail.co.uk

Its also been that long since I last blogged I've gained glasses an had a fringe cut in, and its started to grow out again. Ooopsy. Here's some of what I've been up to:

My column in local paper, "The Challenge"
read it for yourself here 

Open days and uni stuff...this is Sundeerrrlandd.

The bestest at Liverpool Fashion Live back in October, she only wanted the goody bag.

Shooting some A/W stuff for lovely Jewellery brand 16 Braunton

And me, with fringe and glasses!

    And while writing this post I've realised the hot chocolate I made has gone cold, oh well. 

                                                      Xxx

 

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Kate Graham

CHRISTmas. It's quite self explanatory, Christmas is first and foremost about Christ. I'd love to be able to say that my day is therefore ALL about worshipping my most amazing God...but let's be real here, for me, it's not...... the day starts bright and early (even though last nights carol singing till 1am almost killed me) and we all congregate in the living room to begin present exchanging...my brother being himself has usually unwrapped,played with and got bored of his gifts by the time I get downstairs after only a matter of minutes but I take time in opening mine:') after opening everything (whilst writing down the list of present givers and presents for my mums later nagging of writing thank you cards) I eat breakfast at the table if theres time and if not I eat it on the way to church...either way, it's indefinite I'll eat (at least) half a selection box before 11am;)
For me Church on a Christmas day has always been good fun, miming or humming to carols because of a sore throat from christmas eve carol singing, receiving some rather questionable knitted items from old people who forgot my name every other week and feeling queasy from my pre afternoon binge eat are just some of the highlights i can recall and this year I'm hoping it'll be even better!;) back at home the same routine prevails every year, mum makes dinner, mum fusses that everyone needs to eat more dinner, we eat more dinner, mum eats tiny portion and says she's full... it's a routine I don't question, I merely observe and go along with;') 


...on Christmas day eve..?? (sounds wrong but we'll go with it) I usually spend my time watching a film (often 'The Holiday' cause who doesn't love Jude&Cameron&Kate&Jack?!;))and this year, my boyfriend Mark* will come round and most likely eat a second Christmas dinner before being forced to watch a film he doesn't want to see:') 
I'll go to bed smiling on Christmas day knowing that my day was filled with the people I love and I wouldn't change that for the world:) 

*Mark- scroll down to read his post but just be warned its not as funny or interesting;) 

[THE END]

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Beth Lawrence

For me, Christmas is the best time of year. Better than Easter, despite the amount of chocolate I get to eat, better than summer holidays (although time away in the sun in my eyes is the perfect break from school!), and even better than my own birthday! For me, Christmas is a time for sharing; whether that is time with family and friends, and your “loved ones” so they say, or sharing gifts between each other, and food around a table as opposed to the usual TV dinner you get given throughout the year. A time when families, friends, different industries, cultures, religions and nations stop and come together to celebrate the same holiday.

 Everybody celebrates differently and for different reasons, but in my eyes this is what makes it so special – what other time of year is as anticipated as Christmas Day is? And what other holiday is so widely celebrated? Even reaching out to less privileged people is addressed at Christmas time and, making a complete generalisation, it’s the time when people “do their part” by giving to charity and focusing on giving rather than receiving… even though deep down they know that what’s more important is what’s inside their stocking on that Christmas morning! But this is one of the things I love about Christmas; it’s a time for reflection and happiness and everybody coming together to love one another. Although many people may not enjoy the season for various reasons, it is the time of year when we can count our blessings, spend quality time and laughter with our families and enjoy treating one another, and showing love towards each other. A time when we can look back over the previous twelve months and be thankful for what we have, the good things that have happened, and the time we have ahead of us, yet to enjoy. So this Christmas, although I have all my presents wrapped and under the tree ready to hand out, and I have my list written and given to my parents (ahem, Santa), and although the house is decorated, and plans are being made for Christmas Eve and Day itself, the most important thing to me at this time of year is the time I spend with the people that I love and care about; may that be my family, friends or even those people that I don’t and never will know, it’s a time when I can show compassion, care and love to those around me. And I.Can’t.Wait.

Not forgetting the GLITTER.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Unrevealed #2

• “I love you every day. But today you get a card.”
  
  That’s Christmas really, it’s Jesus’ birthday, it’s a day when you say ‘Yes, you are no different today than you were yesterday, you are no closer, no further away, but today you get a present.’ But the funny thing about that is that it can’t be true. Because when you say something like that, when you show someone how much you care, it makes you closer than you were yesterday. That’s what I call ‘worship’.
  This time last year I was very busy being ripped open – a year long relationship was unravelling around me and it felt like bits of me were just falling out. Ever noticed how gradually people change into the things they love? It’s why dog owners look like their dogs. And why people who live for money end up flying around the world only slightly slower than their currency, and grow cold like the unexpected coin in your pocket. Anyway, what I’m saying is imagine if part of who you are fell off. Ran away. Your left foot suddenly rebelled and kicked you in the stomach. This was how I was feeling this time last year. Right up until Christmas Eve.
  
  On the night before Christmas I go to mass at midnight – nothing fancy just people gathered together, singing the praises of the God who’s going to save the world in the morning. But there’s something about it that’s not like other weeks, that’s not like singing in the middle of the day. The night is powerful: it’s peaceful but it’s better than that. At midnight on Christmas Eve you’re not where you were yesterday and you are just certain that you don’t have to be the same tomorrow. And when they say ‘salvation’ that’s all they mean: Tomorrow I will be more alive than I was yesterday, because Jesus is alive.
  
  So I took my shattering self to mass at midnight and I sang. And whenever the music stopped these words just wouldn’t get out my head: Your love is enough, Your grace is sufficient. Your love is enough. You’re no closer today than you were yesterday, and you’re no further away, but you were always everything I’d ever need. I worshipped God, and he picked me up and held me to his chest like a shepherd would with a tiny lamb, shivering with cold.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Sarah Callaghan

Christmas starts in my house with the putting up of the decorations. For me, it’s the time where you can finally get excited and feel Christmas is coming! When we decide to decorate, we get down the tree and ornaments from our attic, blast our 90’s Christmas CD, and all come together, making the house look as sparkly and colourful as possible. The general routine is me and my sister arguing over the colour scheme and running round with tinsel and glitter while mum and dad closely follow, fixing and taking down everything we have done. However, we get to spend time together and laugh, which in my eyes is what Christmas is all about. The tree and house get decorated with sentimental ornaments which bring back memories, either ones being from past places and holidays we have been lucky enough to go on, or from loved ones, past and present which remind us they are always there during Christmas time.

Christmas day is not an extravagant event in our house. It simple, but that’s how we like it. It is a day where you have no worries or chores (with exception of being forced to help with the Christmas dinner), and you just get to talk, laugh and spend time with people you love. I see this year as even more special, as it is the first year my sister has lived at university and the first time I will see her after months will be the Christmas holidays. However, Christmas day is pretty much the same every year. Yet it is something me and my family don’t become bored of, or pass by just thinking ‘another Christmas’ has come around. We make the most of it, embracing it as a time we can all come together and spend time as a family.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Martin Fuller.

The first Christmas that I can remember is when I got my BMX bike! It was an absolutely brilliant Christmas. Those where the days when Santa was so real! In fact I can't actually remember when I found out that Santa wasn't a real person. Hmm? Oh well!!

Over the years Christmas has meant many things to me, when I was young it was all about presents and Santa. Then as I became a bit older it was still about presents but it became more about helping others to have a good christmas. I with my family went to the missionaries of charity to serve the homeless and that was humbling in itself! My look on Christmas changed again not only was it about presents and helping others but it was about how we dress Christmas. I became more interested in how our house looked, I wanted to decorate the tree every year I wanted an order to the house because I wanted it to be dressed beautifully for Christmas! That became my favourite part of Christmas, it became my focus, it became MY Christmas! Throughout this I knew the real story of Christmas, being the birth of Jesus but it never really sunk into my life, it never was the centre.

Decorating is still a fantastic part of my Christmas as is the turkey dinner, the time with family, the rest, pretending that Santa is real (although still a part of me still thinks he is) but they are no longer the centre of my Christmas. You can decorate Christmas with all of the items mentioned above but they hold no reality of Christmas. The reality is the story of a baby being born in a stable, yes a stable! Strip away all of the decorations that show what Christmas apparently is, you get my saviour, our saviour! Jesus.

Think when you open your presents, when you sit around the table with your presents, when you watch your favourite films, over this period that we celebrate, there are people that don't have the luxuries and don't have the family to share with, pray for them.

In the end Christmas boils down to one person, Jesus Christ! Don't  X him from this holiday, Christmas starts with CHRIST and he is our savour and our friend. However you dress Christmas he is always apart of it, we don't realise but he is. Don't leave him in the background.

The first Christmas that I can remember is when I got my BMX bike! It was an absolutely brilliant Christmas. This year and every year to come I will remember Jesus and that makes CHRISTmas absolutely brilliant!

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Emma Fuller.

When I was younger I remember before Christmas sitting on our living room floor, with the Argos catalogue and a pen, going through the toy section, circling items that I wanted to get for Christmas. This often ended up with most of the catalogue circled much to the upset of my mum. But really I was just going through and circling things that I thought 'I might just fancy' for Christmas. Obviously I had no regard for the value of money.

On Christmas Eve my brother and I would be sent to bed so that Santa could come and deliver the presents. We would be so excited and would perform our special handshake. This consisted of shaking hands and saying " Right.....Goodnight!!" and pretending to go to bed. But really we would wait to see if the other went to bed first. We would catch each other out and repeat the "Right, Goodnight!" handshake over and over until one of us gave in (Usually me) or our parents shouted up the stairs for us to get to bed. We continued this tradition until my brother got married and left home last year.

Christmas has always been a huge family time, a time to eat together, share together, talk together, have fun. A lot of hurts are often healed at Christmas.

I have gone to church since I was one, and we always attend lots of church services over the Christmas period. It's the busiest month in our church calender. It wouldn't be Christmas without the Carols By Candlelight services at Roby church. We go on Christmas day, Christmas eve, and before. I sing in the choir and this year I have also learnt 4 carols in sign language.

The Christmas Story has always played a great part in my Christmas Traditions. But the true meaning and feeling of the story has only sunk in more as I got older. As I fully understood the extent of what was happening in the story, the plan god had. What God had in store for each one of the characters. Particularly the 3 main characters;

Jesus- The son of God, the lamb, the almighty, come to earth to be a weak, little, helpless baby and then to grow up to become the saviour of the world.

Mary- A teenage mother, pregnant before marriage but sill a virgin, she would had faced outcasting and disgrace, but she knew that God had a plan. How trusting! What an inspiration.

Joseph- The father who wasn't the father, but was the father, if you get me. He still loved Jesus as his own, he still took Mary as his bride, even though their engagement was turbulent. He trusted in God. What a man!

This Christmas, lets not forget the joy and the true meaning of the season. Lets take time out of the hustle and bustle of modern Christmas times and pause to think of that baby, in the manger JESUS, the saviour of the world. Of the mother who risked ridicule to carry the child, the father, who stood by his bride and had the strength to bring up the man who became the saviour. Let us thank god that he had the BIG plan and that it came through to completion.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Brett Rainey

What Christmas means to me? I was thinking about this the other day and surprisingly, there really wasn’t that much to put in it. It was the usual stuff you see on Christmas cards about everybody being in a good mood, enjoying the snow, comfort food etc., but there wasn’t really anything of proper substance that jumped straight into my mind. I don’t suppose I could even use the reply of the Christmas story, seeing as how my Christmas seems to be more and more centred on the Xmas shopping; capitalism gone mad, or Christmas becoming more of a secular holiday, or even both, I wouldn’t like to say.

However, what I did realise was that those things I initially dismissed as fluff to keep the warm-hearted happy were, in fact, very important things. They’re things that at any other time of the year would be the best things in my life; maybe not the food but, as most people who know me could tell you, it would still be pretty high up on my list.

After a little pondering (which, by the way, is a massively underrated word), It clicked with me that this dismissal was because at Christmas, that’s exactly how these things are presented. All those good things like family and friends, and giving and receiving presents, are the times when you can forget about all the bad stuff happening and just kick back and have fun. The way they have been sold to us though, as things from ‘the good old days’ means we automatically dismiss them as nostalgic bumbling, instead of recognizing that the reason they are still there is because we still want them. I do not know any one person alive now or in the history of the species that has not needed relationships with other people. We pretend that we are above it, that we’re far too metropolitan and sophisticated for things like pulling crackers, but we do it anyway, because we secretly just want those special moments with people we love.

So, to me that is Christmas - it’s about how we increasingly just try to ignore our human nature and be the super-cool suburbanites we see on TV, but really we just want a good hug and an awful sweater.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Rebecca Richardson.

Christmas ..... I don't think people stand there and think for one minute what the actual meaning of Christmas is. Christmas also starts with CHRIST which I think is pretty amazing but I'm not sure whether some people have ever realised that. As a christian Christmas day is about the birth of Christ. People automatically think Christmas is about presents and playing with toys and the latest technology all day but for me this isn't all what Christmas is about.

My Christmas is made up of getting up really early at about 6am and running down the stairs with my brother to open our presents first. Once we have opened them we go and get ready for church and any new clothes we have been given for Christmas we wear. When we get to church the vicar always asks right what time did everyone get up this morning and we all have a competition of who got up the earliest which is quite funny.

On Christmas day I always make time in the day whether it's in the service or in my room on my own to pray and thank god for how amazing he is and thank him for giving us this day to celebrate the birth of Christ but to also spend time with the most amazing people in our lives as well as god which is our family and our friends. I also pray for those who can't be hear with us but hope god is keeping them safe and pray that they are watching over us with big smiles on their faces.

At the end of the day I have a lovely Christmas dinner with the family and look forward to seeing my sister who I haven't seen in nearly a year now she lives further away from home which is amazing. I thank god for us all being able to spend Christmas day together as a family.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Mark Edgar.

Christmas for me begins on Christmas eve, not because I'm just impatient and celebrate it a day earlier than everyone else but because as a tradition our youth group goes round peoples houses singing carols til midnight. the freezing cold and singing 'away in a manger' for the 12th time... are all worth it, not just because of all the free sweets and drinks but because of time spent with friends making people smile and as midnight rolls in being able to enjoy welcoming Christmas with people you love.

Christmas day follows tradition, me my brother and sister all line up at the top of the stairs waiting for my dad to scream...yeh scream ;)... then we're allowed to come down see the presents and hear the Christmas CD playing, after opening them all I have my Christmas bowl of coco pops and head off to church for a festive service.

then the real fun begins .. Christmas dinner ... I would argue there is nothing better, the mountains of food, the Christmas crackers, the drinks and the family all merge together to form one of my yearly highlights.This year will be special as my brother moves to France early January for a few months so I'm gonna really appreciate this family time together.

throw in a visit to my girlfriend Kate's... a few Christmas films, a whole tube of pringles, trying out every present just because you can...nothing wrong with wearing every new pair of socks and boxies I'll get... but anyways yeah I love Christmas and I'm so thankful for all the friends and family I have to share it with :)

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Gem.

She would eat celebration boxes for breakfast, and unwrap a variety of presents. She would unravel the sellotape keeping the folds of paper together, with precision. She would anticipate mother and father opening their gifts off her. The novelty of buying things independently had worn off, so she just hoped that they had a day full of laughter. That would be the the rarest, yet most lovely gift of all, the cherry on top of the cake, or even more appropriately so, the handmade-in-primary-school-angel-that-has-been-perfectly-preserved-and-brings-a-feeling-of-nostalgia-when-placed on top of the tree. This teenage girl in Liverpool, lived through a Christmas day routine and loved it. However, this Christmas would force her to embrace change.

This festive day would not see her visit a certain side of the family, as contact had been broken off with them four months ago, leading up to the holiday that was traditionally known for bringing people together. The past four months had been a struggle, but had not really affected her personally. Her name had been brought up in conversation, to manipulate matters, but she had just sat back, and watched the situation unfold, and witnessed judgements, threats and anger. She had felt fear, lost hope, regained strength, worried for her mother and father, and tried to make everyone reason with her. The 25th December 2011 would force her to admit that her parents were caught up in feuds and arguments, and tangles, that had so many knots, and twists, and turns, and ups, and downs...a Christmas this year would see her father not speak to his own mother.

A relationship that had seen its bridges burned in September, where not only had there been rage, but explosives, and even fire that could be sensed within the air. Christmas in the year 2011 was going to be a year of change. Forgetting the change that is always promised by oneself every new year, this change had to be accepted. Her Christmas routine would be different this year. Less family would be visited. However, Christmas would still be loved. Change would not necessarily appear for the best, but she would make sure the family she held closest, would enjoy, and not regret any of 2011, and go into 2012, determined, facing the change that had been dropped into their lives, with a bout of tinsel, a string of fairylights, a handful of baubles and a bucketload of Christmas beer (or should that be 'cheer'?) At the end of the day, Gemma has no control over what happens in her Christmas. Whatever happens, she will never look back and regret not asking her snowglobe to transform into a crystal ball, and let her know how the year would end. Instead, Christmas will be loved, no matter what.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Jack Andrews.

So what does Christmas really mean to me? To be honest, I don’t have a definite answer since I haven’t been asked this for a while, but maybe now is the time to have a real look and think at what I do make of it.

                Up until around the age of 10, Christmas was still a magical experience, thanks to the fact that I still believed in Father Christmas. Yes, up until the age of 10 I was still a believer, and looking back on it, I can’t believe how I managed to get away with it in school. Everyone else quite clearly knew that he wasn’t real but I can’t remember anyone not playing along for my sake! Whereas other kids found out from their parents (sometimes with upsetting consequences), I reached the conclusion myself and after a quick confirmation from my parents that in fact it had been them putting the presents there for all those years, I was none the worse off.

                Since then, Christmas wasn’t the same, but not necessarily in a bad way. True, all of the fantasy and (most of) the excitement had gone, but there was one thing that everyone still looks forward to, no matter what age-the presents. Saying this though, we in this country really do have a lot to look forward to when compared to those in poorer parts of the world. They may look forward to presents, yet receive nothing-an upsetting thing to think of when we have so much. Without fail, each year, my mum will say something along the lines of `Just think of all the people who get nothing at Christmas` in one context or another, and whilst I normally don’t respond with much, I have to be thankful to her for mentioning it, as it certainly does make a difference to how you see what you have and teaches you to be grateful for it.

                Christmas day our house isn’t really anything different to anyone else’s, with us most often going to my auntie’s house for Christmas lunch. This also serves as a kind of family reunion too, having not seen some of my family for the best part of a year (mainly because they all live so far away). Everyone always enjoys this occasion, everyone gets on well and we all have a good laugh, apart from one thing: a certain two cousins of mine. They don’t cause any (visible) upset on the day but it always astonishes everyone (apart from their parents) as to how many presents they receive and how little attention or thankfulness they seem to give to the people have bought them. I deliberately mentioned being thankful for what you receive earlier on, because when you are not, this is what happens. My dad in particular thinks that it is obscene (his words) and it really is, most of these presents will not be used again or at all.

      Anyway, not wanting to end on a bad note, if you only take one thing from this post let it be this: whatever your situation this Christmas, be thankful for what you have. It is all too easy to become greedy and unappreciative detracting from the real meaning of Christmas-thanking God for his ultimate gift of Jesus.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Ruth Betteridge.

Christmas for me is not a fussy affair were all the extended family come round for Christmas dinner, don't get me wrong I do see them during the season - but not all on Christmas day. Our Christmas day routine has been since my grandad and Nana died. It has been presents, get ready for church, be late for church, go to my auntie and uncles for 'sherry'. Which has become more exciting over the past few years as my cousins now have children and is lovely to see how excited they get. So after this visit we go home,  'play with our presents', have lunch and then slob out in front of the Christmas TV. Christmas is a quiet day of rest for my family.

 For this year though we are changing the tradition instead of just being at home we are going to a friends house for Christmas dinner. Where there will be 5 of us and 2 digs this year.

The build up of Christmas is better than the actual day with the carol services, my birthday, Christmas parties etc. As a Christian I always discover something new at Christmas time even though I have heard the story so many times. This year, after the one carol service was light , there was light created when Ye was born (the star) as well as him being the light and when he dies the bible tells us that the earth was dark for 3 hours. This is something really simple but I had never thought about it in that way before, you may think oh this story is so old and I know it like the back of my hand but I suggest to should look at it in a different way,  maybe like its the first time you have heard it.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Unrevealed.

My Christmas starts on Christmas eve night, normally when we are all fighting to get a shower before going to church. It's that moment when we walk in to church and sit down to watch the Nativity that I know it's Christmas.Church is normally packed on Christmas eve and so you always end up sitting on a family members knee, and practically the person next to you! We stop off at my aunts on the way back for mince pies and then finally make our way home. By this point my parents are rushing around and trying to convince us to go to bed so the presents can be delivered. Even though we are all older now we still put out our stockings, a glass of brandy, a mince pie and a carrot! Christmas morning we gather around opening our new items and discussing which we enjoy, then the cooking starts!  It's best to remain out the kitchen for this section of the day, normally a good time to go visit family:) When we come back we settle down to a meal twice as big as you can eat! After this it's time for presents from close family members and a time to show our appreciation for each other.

I think that Christmas is a time when you live inside your own bubble. Not this 'own little world' that people talk about when they mean for someone to be selfish, but a different type of world. It's a time when most people wish for the same things presents under the tree, food on the table, parties and most of all a time that we can share with the family around us and those who we love the most. I think that it was Christmas is all about. It may not seem the most religious view, but to me it is. I know that Jesus came in order to save us from our sins, but by doing this he brought together a family for worshipping God. That's why I think that spending time with family and loved ones is the most important part of Christmas, what a great way of honouring Jesus by joining as a family together.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Cameron Benoy.

My Christmas is typically a time of celebration. As a Christian, I celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ but as well as attending the church services Christmas is always, for me, about spending time with those who I love and care about. Normally one set of my grand-parents will come up from Surrey to stay with us so there is quality family time included.
It is for friends too as well as family; we all do Secret Santa and enjoy meeting with friends to share the festivities and spirit of Christmas. Usually this involves a meal out and a good Christmas film classic back at someone's house - usually The Snowman, Polar Express, Buddy The Elf or more recently The Nativity.
What makes Christmas special is what you get out of it. What makes my Christmas special is the people that I'm with who create the positive atmosphere that surrounds the time of the year.

I think that Christmas isn't about what is solely amazing for you. What makes it amazing and memorable is the people you're with.

My Christmas is about love.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Jan Underwood.

Each Christmas is much the same as any other, I hope and give thanks for the same things really, its really quite simple in my mind.

Every year Steve asks me what I want for Christmas, and every year my answer is the same, "as long as the kids are happy and healthy, then I am happy, and this is all that I need", I know it sounds too good to be true, but it is true. We still put out a carrot, mince pie and a glass of whiskey for Santa, then either me or Steve have to chew the end of the carrot to make it look authentic, think its his turn this year!

I usually lie in bed on Christmas eve, wound up like a spring, stressed out wondering if I have got enough presents for everyone, and hoping that they will like everything that they have got. I doze all night and am usually awake by 5 am waiting for someone to wake up and shout those familiar words -  "he's been".  Its usually Hannah, PJ will normally get up, but Mikie has to be dragged out of his bed protesting.

Although the boys don't believe in father Christmas anymore, they still like all the fuss and palaver and are happy to play along for Hannah's sake. There is usually a trail of sweets from their bedrooms, down the stairs to 3 piles of pressies. ( note to self: I've done this for the last 3 years, I need to think of something new this year)

I sit and watch the mayhem every Christmas day morning, and that lasts about 3 minutes. When the presents are opened, there is paper everywhere and I run round with a bin bag trying to catch it as it flies through the air, and Steve captures the whole thing on his video camera, that he convinced me that we needed, yet it only comes out of the box once a year.

I thank God for:

 - blessing me with 3 fabulous children that have seen another year out, with good health, surrounded by a family that loves them to bits.

- A wonderful husband who loves us all 

- Being able to afford to give my children what they want, when so many others go without, or get themselves into debt.

I am mindful that xmas is not a happy time for everyone, I know people for whom xmas is the saddest time of the year, this is always in my mind and I never take for granted the things that mean the most to me, PJ, Mikie and Hannah, I think that I am the luckiest person in the world all year round, not just at xmas.

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: Emily Gill.

I love Christmas.  I see it as a time to give thanks and reflect on every thing that has happened to me over the past year, whether it be good or bad. During the run up to Christmas I love going to all the church services, singing all the many carols and hearing the band and the organ play. One of my favourite services is the family carols, I enjoy this because i love the way it tells the Christmas story in such a simple but fun way :)

I also visit my family as they live all over the country ,Christmas is one of the rare times i get to see them and every year I count down the days till get to see them. Its always a great day when we go and see them, its always full of fun and laughter. On Christmas day itself, all the family come round and we open presents and have a good time. One of the traditions in my family for Christmas day is at 7 o'clock the whole family sits down to watch the Dr Who Christmas special , my dad always counts down the hours till its on :P

My favourite part of Christmas has to be boxing day. The whole of my mums side of the family has a party at my aunts house which is always good , we enjoy all the Delicious food that my aunt has cooked and we play on the wii and laugh at each other on the various dancing and singing games, we also have a giant family game of hide and seek which is always fun :) we stay up till  ridiculous times of the morning watching films,eating popcorn and drinking hot chocolate. Then its always funny the next morning to discuss over breakfast what was every ones favourite present and moment of the past few days was!

THIS IS MY CHRISTMAS: an introduction.

It would be a huge lie to tell you that the Christmas project I've been rambling on about recently is something that has been in the pipeline for ages when in fact, its only a week old. You all must know by now, that I'm prone to last minute decisions of haste, and have a habit of concluding only half formed ideas are the best to work with. See, when I had my Christmas play list on full volume this time last week, I decided that I should do something more festive then just doing the usual monthly banner change and occasionally writing about all Decembers wonders. I realised it was time to expand on what I'd visioned in the past, A blog fully interacted with its readers. And not just a select few either, a wide selection of the people who regularly go out of their way to read my little blog.

So this is why in the same minute I thought up a proposed plan of action, I started contacting people asking if they would like to be involved. I've just finished reading the second submission, and I'm really pleased with the variety I've received already, and I hope the level of diversity will only keep increasing.

I know your probably all wondering why I haven't even explained what the actual project is yet and have mostly likely just been skimming this post to gain the basics of the idea. Well anyway...

The idea of my Christmas project is to unite us in our differences. Although the meaning of Christmas is often no longer celebrated, It is important to realise that it is a time of the year that seems to bring us all together. Christmas is special, to different people, for different reasons. I wanted my willing volunteers to share theirr stories and experiences of Christmas; be it what it means to them or their favourite aspect. Everyone is different, but together we are held by our individual differences. Some of the posts you'll see from now, until mine on Christmas day will be of religion meaning, and some, will not. I may write about religion and how important I think it is, but we have to remember that it is important to realise, that Christmas is a time in the year, regardless of beliefs, that we seem to show love. I want you to keep that in mind as you read the posts I'll be equally spreading out, and if you'd like to be involved, their is still plenty of time!