Buckle up – Christmas is on it’s way and us mums are in for a hectic festive time!

It’s still weeks away as I write this but already I think I’m totally over Christmas and the whole festive period.

This week, just one day after I proudly watched my three boys parade down the aisle at a Remembrance Day church service, Christmas has hit me like a tonne of bricks. 

Why does it have to start so fucking EARLY?!! I mean seriously, there are people in Plymouth who have their trees and lights up already. What the hell is that all about? It’s mid November, FFS. If I did that, I’d be so bored of it by the time December rolled around, let alone Christmas Day itself. I just don’t get it. 

Festive content has taken over

For the last 3 weeks, I’ve been working on Christmas content, so obviously that’s not helped. Every year I write a blogpost about stuff in Plymouth and nearby that kids would love to do at Christmas. It’s full of where to see Santa, which Christmas trains are any good, big community events, lights switch ons, National Trust trails, fairs, markets, pantomimes, shows, concerts. All of it. It’s pretty good even if I do say so myself. And super helpful to my readers. 

I’ve then been updating my Christmas gift guides on my blog. This year showing off the popular toys and gifts that six year olds and eight year olds would love. I already do a ‘Mums’ gift guide, but this year for some reason I thought it would be a good idea to add a ‘Dads’ one into the mix too. Just to add to the workload.

Then there’s the Elf on the Shelf ideas post that does really well in December. When those parents mad enough to ‘welcome’ a creepy looking Elf into their home and set them up in funny (and somewhat bizarre) scenarios every night either get RIGHT into it, or regret it bitterly within the first 3 days. 

If you know me, you’ll know this is not my type of thing at all. Nope. Partly because my kids get enough cool stuff all year round. But mainly because I can’t be arsed to faff about at midnight just as I go to bed and realise I’ve forgotten to move the pissing Elf. So no, Elf on the Shelf will not be welcomed into the Copson household this year. Or any year for that matter. He can stay firmly on his Shelf. Somewhere else. 

There are also posts I’m updating about Top Kids Christmas Films, what to put in Christmas Eve Boxes, Christmas crafts ideas (not that I’ll be doing any of those!), and Christmas traditions to start with your family. 

Christmas family photoshoot

Last weekend I did a festive family photoshoot for my social media channels to promote a local Cornish photographer. Hannah from Rabbit House Studio Photography snapped some amazing shots of the boys at a Christmas tree farm in Liskeard – and obviously we all had to wear Christmas jumpers!

Hannah had the boys throwing fake snowballs at Daddy and whipping the mistletoe out over our heads. So obviously they were wound up a treat with festive excitement by the end of it. Only to be told it’s another 6 weeks away! But that didn’t seem to bother some families – who were there browsing trees already! 

This year I’m also working with Visit Plymouth and Plymouth City Council on some Christmas content for their events in the city centre, Barbican and The Box. So it seems the world of work is definitely determined to get me into the festive spirit early! 

But obviously, as ever, it’s the kids who are REALLY doing their best to get the festivities going as early as they can. 

There’s the daily (actually at least 4 times a day) request to know how many days it is until Christmas. Then they’ve already asked to write their list and letter for Father Christmas. I actually don’t mind this one, as it gives us the heads up on what they have their eye on, and I treat it as handwriting practise!

School festive diary is insane

However this week it’s gone up a gear. Mainly because of the correspondence we’ve received from school. We all know Christmas is the busiest time of year for schools, and the headteacher told me yesterday that they have a different event on every single day for the last few weeks of term. But shit the bed, it’s manic. Christmas jumper day, Christmas fairs, Christmas craft days, Christmas parties, tree decoration competitions, quizzes, Christmas lunches, carol concerts, nativities, discos. It’s A LOT. 

And one of the main reasons I know it’s A LOT is that I’m on the PTA and am involved in A LOT. I’ve already been in school this week to sort out Christmas cards/notebooks/wrapping paper/mugs that children have designed to go home. After two sessions of Reading Army (see my rant about that here!) and a parents evening, I then sat in a PTA meeting all about the forthcoming Christmas ‘stuff’ and the huge organisation and time that’s needed by the volunteers. My job is the raffle, as usual. Twice a year! 

But it was the email with all the dates of festive events that really rammed it home. 12 different dates in that email. No wonder the school is busy! And my boys between them are involved in 10 out of those 12. 

Christmas performances account for 6 of those 10. Half in school time, half out of school time. Alongside the swimming lessons, the golf, the Beavers, the Squirrels, the football. It’s lucky I have a diary! 

Not to mention all the Christmas family stuff that is already booked in. The Santa’s Grotto, the pantomime, the little local village lights switch on, the train ride with Squirrels, the football club Christmas party, the walk around a festive Saltram House. And that doesn’t even include the ADULT social events I am hoping I can make.

And I’ve not even thought about a SINGLE present yet!

No wonder I don’t really want to start Christmas in the middle of November. It’s too much! Or am I being a massive Bah Humbug?! 

But I guess when you’re a mum, you don’t get a lot of choice. So hold on people, we’re about to be in for a hectic ride! Merry Christmas! 

How did I do?

Did you enjoy this post? Why not have a read of some of my other Christmas ones. Or if you’re in the throes of shopping, these might come in handy.

• Gift Guide For Six Year Old Girls
• Gift Guide For Six year Old Boys
• Gift Guide For Eight Year Old Boys
• Gift Guide For Eight Year Old Girls
• Gift Guide for Mums

If you like a bit of social media madness, pop over to my Facebook page where you’ll be able to have a laugh at what ridiculousness goes on in my house with three very small boys on a daily basis. Warning – there is often sarcasm, and usually swearing. There are also great travel reviews and some AWESOME giveaways. Feel free to join my Twins, Tantrums and Cold Coffee – Shits and Giggles Parenting Group too, where everyone shares their hilarious stories.

If you like what you see, how about you check me out on Pinterest,  Instagram and Twitter too.

And if you want to work with me, feel free to give me a shout here or at helen@twinstantrumsandcoldcoffee.com and I’ll get back to you.