I am a Christmas paradox. I love it so much that I almost manage to ruin it for myself with the self imposed pressure for perfection (and sometimes those around me whom I force my CHRISTMAS CHEER onto with no mercy). This year is no exception, in fact it holds more weight than most because it is my new baby’s first Christmas. Our first sentimental occasion as a family of four. A joyous full stop at the end of our family-making mission, because Christmas also holds extra emotional significance for those, like me, who may have seen more than their fair share of sadder ones.
We eventually had our two children through surrogacy, and throughout all our years of trying and failing, Christmas tended to represent a fairy-lit conclusion of yet another year we didn’t get to spend with the child we had dreamed of spending it with. It was an accumulative time stamp, a full stop on our failure.
My preoccupation with beating Christmas sorrow turned into overcompensation, the desperate quest foto reclaim festive joy, and I know I am not the only one. ‘Christmas Overwhelm’ is a well used phrase by now, and it very accurately describes the extra-ness of the occasion. The extra socialising, extra indulging, extra calendar-keeping and gift-buying and tradition-making and decorating, eating, drinking, spending, list-making, practical thinking and and guess what. It didn’t stop when the longed for family came. Now Christmas is about making the magic happen for everyone else, with jingle bells on, and this year I started even before December did.
The result is somewhere between exaltation and exhaustion. My mum asked me what I’d like for Christmas this year and I realise I hadn’t made time or space to think about that. What I’d wanted for so long I finally have this year; a full family to share the twinkling loveliness with. I think I can already consider my Christmas re-claimed. But if we’re talking things, then yes, what I’d really like is a lie in, a quiet room with a cocktail and a tin of quality street, plus any of the below, thank you. If you’re feeling any degree of Christmas Overwhelm for any reason including but not restricted to the above, then this is a gift list for you, plus some things to get you through. I’m just going to leave this tab open in an inconspicuous place in case anyone should happen to be wondering…

otiumberg.com
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This was the year of the earring charm. A new addition to your jewellery collection that is low

www.net-a-porter.com
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It’s one of the first things to go when you have a young family. Drinking hot drinks while they’re

www.diptyqueparis.com
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A nostalgic throwback from my childhood, but now the grown up berry-scented upgrade that will

binibamba.com
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I got these when my first baby was born over three years ago and I have literally just worn them

lockdown-liquor.com
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I want this latest addition to the LL line up for the beautiful bottle as much as the coffee

www.selfridges.com
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Despite over two decades working in the beauty industry I still get excited about an excellent

www.qualitystreet.co.uk
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I was not joking about the Quality Street. A tin that you can fill yourself is making my hit list

www.libertylondon.com
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I work at Liberty now and I still covet every new brilliantly curated beauty kit, but I feel like

www.glassette.com
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There it nothing nicer than retreating inside from the cold in deepest winter, and I love an old
To Get You Through: Gift ideas for little people that are actually gifts for you.
10. Yoto mini

uk.yotoplay.com
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We have the Yoto player, it is quite brilliant. No screen, short daily educational radio shows, my

www.ergopouch.co.uk
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No parent should be without a white noise machine. This one also has pink and brown noise, plus a

eu.dockatot.com
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Before Dockatot there was no such thing as a beautiful nursing pillow. This is the perfect shape

www.libertylondon.com
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I was obsessed with these when I was little. Are they still a thing? Who cares, this is a total

babymori.com
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I think I get as much pleasure from an adorable teddy as my kid does. This one is top of my list,

tonies.com
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Another audio box option that works wonders in our house at fussy meal times. I’d quite like the