Acacia Ridge Lights?
We’re going to be staying with friends of friends in Acacia Ridge (Brisbane, Queensland) in December. Does anyone know of some Christmas lights in that area we could see while we’re there? Or other Christmas related treats?
Fun outdoor locations for Christmas…
Yes, you have celebrate at home or some restaurant, but I’m telling my parents to do some other fun places. ones I’ve said so far are:
- the zoo – gardens and lots to look at
- the beach – nice sand to relax on, water to paddle or swim in…
- some gardens – I think the Botanical Gardens in the city would be divine
- on one of those boats that cruises along the river
- at a children’s farm – not the most beautiful places but open and the animals would amuse the kids
- a park – the one near my school would be good as it has playground, free BBQs and space for other games and even parking in the park but no toilets might be a problem…
Any other fun places my parents and family might agree to?
first christmas in queens size bed
I remember one christmas when i was about 6, mum and dad decided to give my little sister and I their queen size bed. We went to bed on xmas eve as usual then mum & dad moved my sister into my bed while they pulled her bed apart, assembled the big bed and then moved us both into the big bed.
We sleeped through it all!Next morning we woke to look for santa sacks and found ourselves in onr big bed as well! It was funny! But we kept forgetting to tell people that ws our bg present…
His or hers?
If you are part of a couple, which family do you see on Christmas Day (or Christmas Eve if that’s your preference)? How did/do you decide on that arrangement?
There are so many factors involved I am sure there are many answers to this question – location of families, relationships, extended family commitments, mobility, what suits the kids’ needs and so on.
Have you found a solution for your family or is it an issue every year?
Christmas spirit of giving
I’m not talking about commercialism and gift giving, but the true spirit of giving at Christmas time. I don’t do enough of it myself, and I’m not sure just thinking about it counts for much, but I think Christmas giving is important.
What giving do you do at Christmas time? Do you see it as a burden in a busy time or something that is just worthwhile and a priority?
Here’s some of the things I’ve thought of – can you add to the list?
- time for poor – serving Xmas lunch at a homeless shelter or helping hand out goods at a charity centre
- invite lonely people to join a Xmas celebration with you
- give to charity instead of giving token or joke gifts – a group I was in did this one year as we choose gifts for children and gave the bundle to a charity
- give charity gifts
- send cards to those not expecting it – maybe that shop assistant who smiled at you during your toddler’s tantrum, the nosy neighbour or a volunteer in your community (one you don’t deal with yourself)
- smile and be nice to people in Xmas crowds – not always easy but give it a go!
Your favourite Santa gift
What is the best and/or most memorable gift Santa ever left for you?
Did your favourite gift from Santa come in a box like these presents?
Do you remember why that thing was so special and stands out from everything else? It isn’t always the biggest or flashiest thing that stays in our memories – and now is the time to acknowledge how Santa got it right for you!
* Image courtesy of KozziIcelandic Christmas Cake
Includes 10.3g total fat (6.1g saturated fat) apparently but it IS for Christmas…
Preheat oven to 180 C
Cream 185g butter & 220g caster sugar
Add 2 eggs, beating in each before adding next
Stir in 200ml milk & .5 tsp lemon essence
Add cardamon flavouring to taste*
Add 345g plain flour mixed with 2 tsp baking powder
Gently mix in 100g sultanas (a few glace cherries of dried cranberries add colour and a nice surprise but isn’t traditional!)
Pour mixture into a 28 cm greased loaf pan
Bake for about an hour
* Cardamon flavour can be about 0.5 tsp of essence or 0.45 ground cardamon – add more if you like it spicier…
Writing to Santa – help is at hand!
One of the pleasures for many children in the lead up to Christmas is writing a letter to Santa. There is something very special about actually writing your own letter and of course there is the hope of getting what you asked for!
Yet many people struggle with writing letters (how do I start, what can I say, etc) so we’ve added a template to our site to make it easier.
Free to use, our Dear Santa template can be printed off and used to write a well structured letter to Santa, or just use the text and write out your own letter altogether.
By using this template, children can write to Santa and include more than a list of gifts they want – it teaches them to show interest in others and end a letter gracefully. The template (like Love Santa letters) also encourages children to recognise their achievements and be proud of them.
So, please feel free to use this template and send Santa some beautiful letters this Christmas!
The Love Santa letter template helps your child send Santa a beautiful letter for Christmas!Click To TweetChristmas photos early
How can you prepare Christmas photos in advance to use in cards and thigns they are sent out late November/early December? I really don’t want to set up a tree just yet at home, and think the kids could get confused if I did, but I do want some Christmas photos but with overseas relatives I need to send everything early.
How do other people get around this???
Love Santa refresh
We’re very excited to announce our website has been refreshed and looks fantastic!
When we started helping Santa seven years ago, I made the site myself – it was never a work of art but it was functional. Over time, improvements have been made (like adding online order forms and articles) but it was still pretty basic.
The lovely Ally at Web Graphics By Email has helped along the way, but now has had free reign and designed us a beautiful site which now does justice to our letters and the wonderful man we help 🙂 Thank you Ally 🙂
The order form has also been updated so everything is happening now! And still no change in service (each letter is personalised and has a hand written envelope) or price.
So what do you think? Does the site better fit your image of Love Santa?
Gifts from my kids…
… are often home-made, especially for Grandparents and aunts.
When kids make gifts, they come from the heart. Like these scented sachets being made at home.
It started partly to be cheaper but it isn’t always the case.
What’s more important is that the kids put their time and love into it so it means so much more than some $5 soap or chocolate we could buy.
It also teaches them the real value and pleasure in gift giving. Aside from the giving bits, making gifts also entertains them in a positive way, teaches them crafty skills and IS FUN!
I’m looking for some new ideas for this Christmas, although we’re thinking of pots of herbs that the kids grow from seeds and maybe decorate the pots.
My children have already made…
- stepping stones
- dyed tea towels
- photo frames (thanks for that idea on a Love Santa letter!)
- painted pots of citronella candles
Has anybody got some other ideas they could share please?
Love Santa letters – constant prices
In the seven years we have been writing letters to help Santa, we haven’t changed the price so our letters are still $10 each (or $9.25 for orders of 3 or more).
Why no increases, even after some rough financial years and two postage increases? Because Love Santa is not about the money, it’s about the love of Christmas, magic and children.
We know others are selling letters for more than us, and not always at Santa’s request, but we’ll stay with covering costs and making people happy.
And of course our letters still contain a number of personalised details, craft and cooking ideas and a small surprise mailed individually to each child.
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Order Cut Off Dates
Please note that Love Santa letters need to be ordered before December 18Â to be delivered before Christmas!
Order now to be sure of delivery before Christmas. Keep an eye on our blog for final ordering days as we get close to Christmas Eve.
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Under no circumstances, not even under threat of having to fill in for Santa on Christmas Eve, will your details of any kind be given, sold or lent to any other party.