Bye Bye Christmas

Farewell Christmas and hello 2014!  Man alive, it is almost February. Bit late for a Happy New Year isn't it. How did that happen? Regardless, I hope you have had a lovely break filled with love and laughter. I love the Christmas holidays. Always have. Sun, food, beach time, family, friends. 

So my first Christmas Day as host was a success, despite all attempts by the weatherman to ruin it. As you know, it was the first time in the history of my family to have a cold lunch - massive deal. AND, wouldn't you know it, it rained. All I wanted was to sit under our newly installed shade in the yard, drink champagne, eat prawns and engage in the usual family banter in the sunshine. Champagne prawns champagne prawns, repeat.  Alas, it rained so the party was moved into the half finished carport and it wasn't the warmest of weather. Boo. So we didn't end up sitting outside for as long as I hoped and the backyard games that I had planned didn't happen either. Argh well, better luck next time eh.

A definite highlight of the day was our tree. As part of the day I requested that everyone wrap their gifts in "neutral + white" theme. Not because I have OCD, but instead of the mess of that cheap ugly Santa paper, (that makes for awesome missiles come the obligatory paper fight afterwards mind you), we had a beautiful tree with gorgeous looking presents under it. I wasn't sure how my request would go down with the extended family, but in actual fact, what happened was that everyone loved the idea and putting that extra effort into the wrapping, extended the joy. Which was awesome. 

My mother-in-law took out the prize for best looking presents. She hand cut(!) and designed the reindeers, snowmen. She made sleighs out of cut cereal boxes and covered with brown paper!  She is one clever lady. A cold English Christmas on her mind. So clever.  

Below is a snapshot of our day and my wrapping the last two pics, which I loved doing - those air dry clay ornaments were awesome.  Will be doing those again next year for sure.

The man on the BBQ, that's my brother. He was cooking under a beach umbrella in the rain - legend. Those cooked prawns on ice, that was only 1/3 of them - we had 4 kilos! Whoops. May have over catered. Those salads, I will be sharing some of those recipes soon. Too darn good not to.

What did your day look like? As wet as mine?

Here's to another fab year. Hope yours treats you well.

PS - I have fixed the commenting capabilities on the blog now.  Thanks for your patience and letting me know. x

Getting my Christmas Day Craft On!

In my last Christmas post I showed you where I am heading with my Christmas Day table styling. Well I got my craft on one afternoon last week and look at what happened! So easy and the clay being air dry is brilliant. Skills learnt as a 10 year old at my local Community Centre, school holiday pottery program paid off!

Another piece to my Christmas day puzzle comes together.

I am using the little letters as gift tags for my Kris Kringle and the kiddly-winks. Hearts are for the table.

Likey?  Me likey.

Excuse the skanky looking baking tray!  Perhaps I should spend more time scrubbing? Na!

Dressing my Christmas Day Table

What is Christmas like at your house?  My family always had the entire extended family, some 20 odd people over for a massive hot lunch which rolled onto afternoon activities, which rolled onto dinner.  Always a good day, crazy but fun. Each year the hosting family was also rotated, so the table dressing and clean house pressure wasn't always on the same family. The table dressing was always my favourite part. Weeks before Christmas, if it was my family's turn, long discussions would be had about that years colour and theme.  This would also run into the tree decorations too. So much fun.

Well, now that I have my own house, we have thrown our hat into the hosting ring so I have been busily searching for table inspiration. Thankfully I wont be having the 20 people, as nowadays, with everyone having their own family, that 20 of my childhood is more like 40.  My poor little cottage would get trampled! Time has come to break away.

SO the fun journey of pulling together my first Christmas has begun. We always had a hot lunch (think roast turkey, roast pork, ham, roast chicken and all the sides). Hot lunch on a sticking hot day? Sounds crazy doesn't it. It's not like my family just got off the ship from the UK and were used to a cold Christmas. Nope, we just had a hot lunch because we always had. Old habits die hard I guess. So playing host, we will be changing up the menu too. I am sure that some of the oldies will hate it and will openly object, alas, this year will be different.

I am also thinking that seeing we don't have a pool to entertain everyone nor to help lunch go down, we are going to have to have some games. Am thinking apple dunking, sack races, ring toss.... kinda like a mini Olympics.  Kimbo, if you are reading, I will have to get some game ideas from you from your street party please. We will also clearly then have to have a score board and present the winner with a prize at dinner. Clearly.

Now I know it is October, but soon it will be November, which means that December is right around the corner. Ekk!! I also have 2 kiddlets at home, so yes I am trying to be organised!

What I have found so far is nothing less than gorgeous. What I am going for is a balance between Australian and old world charm /rustic. The below perhaps lends itself to a more traditional lunch, but why follow the rules right!

My menu is likely is going to be less traditional (have to have a ham though - check out that ham stand below! How can I possibly resist?), but most certainly Australian.

What do you usually do Christmas day? Do you have any menu ideas for me? Game ideas?  I would love to hear.

Image sources: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 

As a side note, do you know Kara Rosenlund? She is responsible for image 2, 3 & 4.  I love her vintage, uniquely Australian naturalist style.  She is a stylist, props buyer, ex-photographer and vintage wares retailer that she sells out of her black 1950's caravan called Frankie. She has a real knack for pieceing together beautiful vignettes that simply blow my mind - oh to have that skill (Avignette is simply a crafted and well planned display of items... I have just learnt this myself, thanks Instagram!).  Her home makes me want to throw out all the colour in my house, start over and replace with linens and white! Check out her website here. A feast for the eyes.