What's your favourite present this Christmas?

[december2020]

Wanting to spread some positivity while I'm on night shift with my newborn as I've read so many posts of people unhappy with their presents or Christmas itself (some justifiably so).

What's your favourite (physical or non-physical) present this Christmas? Anything that just made you happy?

I got a lovely cafetière for my coffee addiction and a beautiful eternity ring to mark my son's birth (born 4 weeks early last month).

Then as a soppy non-material present was to be able to spend a mellow Christmas with DH just playing games, eating food and having a nice glass of wine. He's a key worker and shifts don't always let him have Christmas off so being able to have the time with him especially with lockdown and no other family allowed has made all the difference.

My only present but nice nevertheless, a box of hazelnut chocolate fudge squares. Delicious!

I have 2 joint favourites: both hand made Christmas tree decorations made by friends. So thoughtful and so much time and love has gone into making them.

This tiny emerald/ diamond necklace I got from DH. I love green so emeralds are my favourite gem

DH and DC’s joined together and got me a bottle of Chanel perfume , something I love but would never buy myself. Very pleased.

My parents got us beautiful newbridge silverware cutlery with Celtic knot designs. I am irish living in the UK and have barely anything 'Irish'. Also, we have been living off the dirt cheap ikea cutlery from our flat 5 years ago. Having something nice is just so special.

My DDs are both seriously into crafting and made us some lovely gifts.

DD1 made us some amazing patchwork cushions for our new boat and DD2 a beautiful embroidery of a line from my favourite song.

DH bought me Ninja air fryer which I am very excited about- been after one for quite a while!

Necklace from DH. It's not diamond encrusted or anything, but it is very unusual for him to buy jewellery or buy early. I found it hidden in September, and had half convinced myself I was heading for an Emma Thompson Love Actually moment, so was rather relieved to receive it.

Lots I loved but best thing was an engagement ring from my DP!

I got a few presents. A bathrobe, a Lego set, a Joe exotic t shirt to match my crocs, pyjamas, warm socks and a pen.

They are all lovely but the Parker pen is my favourite. My 17 year old son saved his lunch money and bits of pocket money to buy me that pen and apologised to me that he couldn't afford the cross botanical pen I had liked earlier in the year. This Parker means more to me than ten cross pens ever could because he listened to me, remembered what I liked, thought about me, actually skipped his favourite £1 bakery more than once and then made the journey to the shops to find it AND put a bow on it. It's not about the price. It's about his heart being so big .

Oh the seahorse trust!

what a great present!

A moomin travel mug!!!!!

My best present was the fridge I bought myself and took delivery of a few days before Christmas Day. My v.v.old fridge gave up the ghost on Monday and I managed to find one I liked and get it delivered by the following day, minor miracle really. I had to pay higher than usual delivery charge, but it was worth it as the following day I was collecting my very expensive Christmas food order.

My new fridge is bigger and I love that I was able to get all my Christmas food in it and that the fridge keeps everything so much cooler than my old fridge. I keep admiring it's beautiful white glossiness and thanking my lucky stars that it was delivered on time and saved all my food from being ruined.

Mine is a photo album that holds 1000 photos so I can wait to start filling it with pictures of my boys
And also my oldest DS 2.5yrs has always called me mum with the occasional mama thrown in but as of yesterday I am mummy, it brings a massive smile to my face to hear it even when he's been following me round the house just saying it on repeat

My ds (18) bought me a beautiful silver and amber brooch. I am not generally a brooch wearer but I love it and I haven't taken off since...so touched.

A pair of ballet pump slipper things. Not expensive but from my mum who listened when I said that the dog kept stealing my slippers but my feet were cold. Kindness is a lovely gift

I had a baby girl almost 4weeks ago and my mum gave me a Pandora charm for my bracelet of baby’s initial. Was the best surprise present!

I got some lovely swag from DH - big brownie points.

A pendant with picture drawn by DS etched on it.
A massive fat jigsaw which has kept me going for 3 days
A book on urban architecture
Massive bag of midget gems
Glossier lip balm.

Feel quite spoilt.

DH got me a print from 1859 of my home town (Wellington, NZ). It's a hand coloured engraving. I've spent much of the last 2 days trying to work out exactly what part of the town it depicts as it was still a wood built colonial town at the time.

When I was little I had a Big yellow teapot. I said to my mum months ago I wanted one for my 2 year old but they are so expensive. To my surprise my mum bought me one for Christmas, best Christmas present ever.

My favourite present this year was a ukulele, I absolutely love it and have been perfecting auld lang syne, just in case I am called upon

I got a gorgeous silver nugget bead bracelet from my siblings (which i had asked for) I'm so pleased with it, its even more beautiful than the pics

I actually got a lot of really thoughtful presents this year, that will help me deal with my anxiety/lockdown sadness a lot.

An iPad from DP (a complete surprise)
A breadmaker from my dad
Hot chocolate bombs, lovely bath things, books from my mum

It's like the perfect selection of gifts to keep me occupied for the next few months.

Our beautiful son was born 3 weeks ago, so obviously him!

Material-wise it would be the record player I've been lusting after for ever along with a number of very well picked vinyls from DH.

I saw a hefty academic book related to my relatively new interest and I knew I'd love it and learn loads from it, but it was just expensive enough that I couldn't justify buying it for myself - so I put it on my wish list and crossed my fingers. My family secret Santa bought it for me! My face must have been a real picture when I opened it, I was genuinely overjoyed. Definitely present of the year, geeky as it is

My in laws gave us £1000 which was completely unexpected and much appreciated. We didn't get to see it or spend it unfortunately as we have both been over our over draft limits most of the time for months but i have got a new job and got paid just before Christmas so things are looking up
My favourite present was the bad girls box set off my husband