Saturday, 8 January 2022

Twelve Days Of Christmas 2021

These Twelve Days of Christmas posts come round far too often for my liking, not that I don't love to receive these gifts from my lovely friend, Lisa, but because each year seems to slip by quicker than the last. This is the eighth year that Lisa and I have swapped gifts. We swap twelve separately wrapped gifts, one to be opened on each of the twelve days of Christmas. We met through our blogs and though Lisa doesn't blog now, she's on Instagram and we swap regular emails keeping up to date with each other's family life.

These are the lovely gifts which I received from Lisa this year.

Let's take a closer look.

A box of Christmas crackers. These were unwrapped on Christmas Day but I didn't use them this year so that I could photograph them with the rest of the gifts. They'll be put away and used next year though. Some Bonne Maman chocolate biscuits, I've never tried these so I'm looking forward to tucking in. Some Bourneville Old Jamaica rum and raisin dark chocolate. I remember this when it was in an orange wrapper with a ship on the front, it's years since I've had it but I know I like it. A pocket pouch shopping bag, very handy to carry around with me, I'm always scrabbling about for a bag.

Some journal stickers and memo pads. These will be very handy for my journaling this year. A pair of Christmas socks with hedgehogs under the mistletoe, so cute. A handy Kilner jar adorned with gingerbread men, this will be lovely filled with the festive treats I make next year. A can of seeds, you just water and they grow, what a fun gift.

Kate Humble - Thinking on My Feet. A book celebrating the act of walking. It's written month by month and I think it might be fun to read in this way too. Mints in a Christmas tin, which will be put to very good use once the mints have been eaten. Avon nail varnish in a very glamorous shimmery pink colour and some raspberry panna cotta handcream. It actually smells good enough to eat. Last but not least, Miss Mary Christmouse. I actually gave a little squeal when I unwrapped her, isn't she the cutest.

I couldn't resist taking an extra photo of Miss Mary Christmouse. She hasn't been packed away with the rest of the Christmas decorations, Miss Mary will be sitting in my craft room to keep me company.

Some wonderful gifts, I'm sure you'll agree. Thank you, Lisa, I'm thrilled with everything I received.

This is what I sent to Lisa.

And a closer look.

I know that Lisa likes to spend time in her garden relaxing after work, at least in the summer when the weather's nice. I thought this garden nesting box would add some interest in the spring if a blue tit family move in. The Brain Benders are wooden puzzles to get the old grey matter working. There's four puzzles so all the family can try one each. The tea infuser reminded me of one of Lisa's cats, Rocky. Isn't it cute. I don't know about you but my hands get so dry during the winter months so I thought these Cath Kidston handcreams might come in handy.

Lisa sent me a lovely cross stitched card for my birthday last year so I thought she might like to have a go at this alphabet sampler. I usually add a Christmas themed book in the parcel. This year it's by author, Cressida McLaughlin, I actually read one of her books myself in the run up to Christmas. The title, The Cornish Cream Tea Christmas, sold it to me. I know that Lisa meal plans so I thought this meal planner would come in useful, and the body butter duo should keep Lisa's skin moisturised during the harsh months of winter.

I always put a few sweet treats in the parcel. There's the Galaxy Chocolate Collection which contains a few different bars of choccie. Thorntons Milk Chocolate Caramel Crunch, and I didn't remember it at the time when I picked these up but Lisa had actually sent me a box last year so I can vouch that they're delicious. The Make Your Own Gingerbread Man is a bit of fun, it comes with a gingerbread man cookie cutter. There's also some Galaxy Hot Chocolate, which has mini marshmallows included to make a luxury hot chocolate drink, and a little ceramic owl spoon too.

It's been such a fun swap again, I love opening these gifts, one each day on the Twelve Days of Christmas, it just extends the festivities a little. Thank you, Lisa.

17 comments:

  1. It's lovely to keep Christmas alive for the whole period, here in UK we are so quick to wind down after boxing day, which is a shame.

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  2. You've both come up with some brilliant ideas for presents, not easy to do when there are so many to get and you've been doing it for 8 years. So exciting for you both.

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  3. What a great swap and a wonderful way to carry on a little bit of Christmas for a while longer. Miss Mary Christmouse is so cute! and should definitely be kept out all year :-)

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  4. Wow, some nice gifts exchanged in those bundles and I remember doing one of the 12 days some years ago when you picked people to swap with. It was fun. Think I may have to get that Kate Humble book, as we've watched her on TV a few times.(when we get good UK series over here).
    Enjoy the goodies, take care & hugs.

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  5. What a lovely tradition, you have been gifted some lovely things there. Miss Mary Christmouse is delightful, I hope she enjoys your crafty room.

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  6. What a lovely swap the two of you did.
    Miss Mary Christmouse is so cute, a good idea to keep her out all year.

    Enjoy your weekend.

    All the best Jan

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  7. Both of you have come up with great gifts. What fun!

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  8. What lovely gifts you exchange with your friend. It certainly extends Christmastime for you both. Miss Mary Christmouse is lovely.

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  9. A fabulous exchange of gifts Jo, it's lovely to have something to open each day when Christmas is over. I love Miss Mary Christmouse and I don't blame you for keeping her near. Have a great Sunday. xx

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  10. What lovely thoughtful presents for each other, lovely to have such a swap. Little Miss Mary Christmouse is adorable no wonder you want to keep her to see all the year round xcx

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  11. How totally fantastic, such lovely things you sent to each other and they will last a long while.

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  12. What lovely gifts you both exchanged, Miss Mary Christmouse is definitely worth keeping out all year, she looks adorable :)

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  13. What great gifts for each other-thoughtful and wonderful. Love the little Christmouse! I hope you have a wonderful week-xo Diana

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  14. I am going to have to find someone around here for Christmas 2022. THat 1ooks 1ike so much fun. Maybe I can surprise my daughter.

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  15. I think this is such a lovely thing to take part in. The gifts are gorgeous and I must say, I would have given a happy squeal to see Miss Mouse as well. X

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  16. Wonderful gifts and such a great idea! :)

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  17. What delightful exchanges, I'm so pleased you are keeping Miss Mary Christmouse out for company, she is just adorable.xxx

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