Getting YoursELF Ready

It's nearing that time of year again where Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Blogs will be filled with pictures of Elves getting up to their tricks. In our house we have fully embraced Elf on the Shelf and our Elf, Buddy, has become a huge part of our lives. I would like to share with you how I prepare for our special visitor's arrival and the traditions we have created over the years to keep Buddy's magic alive. 

Buddy arrived with his suitcase in 2013 and the first year was lots of fun. John was only 3 and with a newborn in the house, Buddy was a welcome distraction for him. During the 25 days Buddy and John developed a beautiful friendship but when Buddy left John wasn't really that bothered. It was until the following year that I realised how strong his attachment was to this little stuffed green and red toy. When Buddy appeared under our tree in 2014 John was hugging him tightly and kissing him all over. He ran around the house showing Buddy all the changes there had been in the last year. It broke my heart when he 'sat Buddy down' to break the news that our beloved dog Ruby had passed away since his last visit. When it came to saying goodbye to Buddy at the end of the second year there were tears galore. I felt awful. I had brought Buddy into his life and was now causing him pain by taking him away. Due to this bond and because I am a total sap, I decided that Buddy would visit more regularly in year 3. He delivered chocolatey treats at Easter, joined in on a beach trip in summer, brought John a present on his birthday in August and scared us all with his spooky arrival at Halloween. When he came back in his traditional way in the December I was worried that the impact of his arrival would be lessened by his regular visits but I was wrong. Both John and Jamie were thrilled to see him and  Rudy the Reindeer who was sent as a special friend for Jamie. What I am trying to tell you is that bringing an Elf into your life can be such a beautiful experience. When it's done right, Elf on the Shelf isn't just a tokenistic gesture or a competition between mums for who can be the most creative. Although Buddy has inspired many of my friends to get an elf of their own, we share ideas and love looking at each other's photos around Christmas time. Many of my facebook followers will comment throughout the year about looking forward to Buddy coming back, he has many groupies!

It takes quite a bit of effort to organise your Elf. I should point out that we do not follow Elf on the Shelf rules such as the no touching. We bought our Elf from My Little Elf (this isn't a sponsored post) and he is a cuddly cute elf. I personally didn't like the 'real' Elf on the Shelf elves as I think they look quite scary. The first couple of years I didn't plan what Buddy would be doing, I just thought about it one day at a time. This was quite stressful and often resulted in my husband and I forgetting about it until bedtime then desperately racking our brains late at night for ideas. Last year I decided to plan Buddy's tricks and treats so that I could buy things in advance and as much as possible link him to things that would naturally be happening in our lives. This made life much easier for me. 

We always start Buddy's arrival in the same way each year. 

We have elf doors in both the boys rooms (you can order these online but I bought mine at a craft fair and the lady we bought it from personalised it for me). A few days before December I start sprinkling glitter or leaving chocolate coins outside the door to signal that Buddy will be arriving soon. He arrives on the 1st of December with 24 Christmas books wrapped individually in Christmas paper (a sort of book advent), he also has with him a photobook full of his antics from the previous year. He also delivers the advent calendars and last year he arrived with 2 snuggly christmas blankets and a christmas pillow. We always have Buddy bring our Christmas decorations and usually plan this for the first weekend in December. I try to have a balance of activities for Buddy, some are funny like swinging from the lights or rolling down the stairs in toilet roll, some are crafty such as bringing things to make like Christmas cards or cookies. Sometimes we link it to things that are happening in our lives like Buddy wearing a Christmas jumper when it is Christmas Jumper day at school or bringing chocolates to give to our hairdresser when it is Christmas haircut day. During the 2nd year of elfing we had a kindness elf, Holly, who came each day with random acts of kindness ideas for John to take part in such as giving toys to charity, collecting food for the foodbank and making up a goodie pack to deliver to the homeless in the city centre. 

John really loves the food themed days, especially when Buddy makes breakfast with doughnuts and milkshakes! Planning these activities in advance make them more meaningful and allow you to shop in advance for props. Last year John was really into karate kid so I asked a friend at work who crochets to make me a ninja suit for Buddy. I wouldn't be able to do things like this without thinking about it in November. I even have a Buddy budget when I do my November finances! It may seem crazy but I think that spending a little more on the Buddy experience is much more valuable than yet another visit to a grotto with an unrealistic Santa to get yet another crappy plastic toy. Every year Buddy brings a new tree decoration and it is lovely to look back on these little touches. If you are going to a Christmas party, Santa visit or Christmas fayre day out, your elf can bring things like tickets, new outfits or money to spend. These are all things you would be doing or spending money on anyway. I usually buy special paper or luggage tags to write messages on from Buddy and I always sign it with a holly leaf. A few days before the big day we start to build on the excitement with things like Santa's footprints. 

Our farewell to Buddy is quite the tradition too. On the 24th of December Buddy brings the boys a Christmas Eve box filled with the usual goodies (Christmas film, PJs, hot chocolate, The Night Before Christmas Book, candy canes, chocolate coins, the santa key, christmas scented bubble bath and reindeer dust). We usually visit my grandparents on Christmas Eve, go for a long walk and then go out for dinner. When we come home we go through the usual routines of scattering the reindeer dust and putting out the plate for Santa. Whilst all this is going on, Buddy sneaks upstairs and creates the most wonderful Christmas themed bath with the christmas scented bubble bath, red and green balloons, glitter and fake snow, bubbles, christmas music playing, christmas decorations to play with and christmas lights and candles glowing. This is a very special part of our Christmas routine. After the bath we get into our new PJs and read The Night Before Christmas. The boys then kiss Buddy goodbye and give him a big hug. They put him to bed under the tree and off they pop to bed. Buddy then disappears.The excitement of Christmas usually dulls the pain a little but it's never easy saying goodbye to this little elf who has a piece of all our hearts.

Thanks for letting me share Buddy's magic with you. 

#sharingbuddysmagic - check us out on instagram and keep up to date with the elf antics this festive period. 

Buddy Blog Day 24: Bye Bye Buddy

Today is Buddy and Holly's  last day. John has been weepy at the thought of them disappearing back to the North Pole on Christmas Eve. I'm hoping that the presents distract him.

As a parting gift they have made a special Christmas Eve box. They filled it with new pyjamas, a Christmas film, a photo frame to be filled with a photo of John, Jamie,  Buddy and Holly. There is scattering of golden coins in the box along with candy canes and reindeer dust. The Santa key is also included as we don't have a chimney.

Tomorrow is really the start of Christmas for my family.  My Dad who lives in Czech Republic celebrates Christmas on Christmas Eve, as is traditional there, with the Christmas meal of carp being served and toys appearing at night time after leaving a window open for baby Jesus to sneak in.

We start our traditions on Christmas Eve  too by visiting grandparents, watching a Christmas film together and going out for dinner. Last year Buddy organised a festive bath for John which he will do again this year (perhaps omitting the green dye and glitter in the water). We also read The Night Before Christmas for the bedtime story.

It has been amazing to witness John's reaction to his elf friends again this year. I hope that this will be a tradition I can keep going as long as he still believes. It's magical.

Buddy Blog Day 23: 2 Sleeps, Santa is Watching!

This morning we awoke to find dusty white footprints all over the living room and a mound of white with '
2 sleeps written in it. The footprints led to the kitchen where a half eaten mince pie and carrot lay.

Holly's note explained the mystery. Santa had popped by to praise John for his kindness, to encourage him to continue, especially towards his parents and to remind him that Santa is always watching.

I can't believe it's only 2 more sleeps.  So very exciting!!!

Buddy Blog Day 22: Holly's Help for the Homeless

I never easily walk past a homeless person. I realise it is a divisive topic but I believe that it could happen to even the best of people. I try not to judge them for what they do to make their life on the streets more bearable because I am not in their shoes. I don't know what happened to them to lead them here. All I see is a human being whose life circumstances landed them in an unfortunate situation.  At this time of year I find it even more difficult. I usually donate clothes or money to homeless charities. Last week we donated to Social Bite; a social enterprise who are trying to feed homeless people Christmas dinner in their cafe in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Holly has also worked her magic and suggested that John make up a little care package with some essentials to give to a homeless person when we visit Edinburgh today for the Christmas Market. She has also thrown in a £5 McDonald's gift voucher so this should get the person gifted their lunch too.

John is young but even at 4 years old he is aware of homelessness. He went into Edinburgh with me a few weeks ago a commented on the many people sleeping rough in doorways. I explained as best I could and he was concerned. He asked why nobody helps them and gives them a home. "Where are their mums?" He asked. If only life was as straightforward as a 4 year old sees it. Our country would probably be better off.

I don't think it's a disgrace that homeless people choose to  crowd every doorway in Princes Street and that they are so visible. For where else should they go?  I think it's a disgrace that there are so many homeless in the first place and so many unwilling to show them compassion. They may be immigrants, alcoholics, drug addicts or indeed chancers but you don't know their circumstances. You haven't lived their lives.

I want my children to learn that you treat everyone the same. People living in doorways are not lesser than those in palaces they have just have less stuff. They are still worthy of care, love and compassion as we all are. Not just at Christmas but all year round. 

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

*Buddy has been on the elf juice again...

Buddy Blog Day 21: Pumpaloons

Holly took a well deserved break and let her hair down with a game of Pumpaloons  with Buddy . This is a favourite game of John's at the moment. You have a race to see who can pump up the inflatables first.  He then likes to play boxing with them. This usually doesn't end well! Let's hope Buddy and Holly are more sensible.

Buddy Blog Day 20: Walkies

When Buddy arrived last year, our old dog Ruby was his biggest fan. He could often be found in her bed cuddled in under a paw. When John broke the news to Buddy that Ruby had gone to Rainbow Bridge earlier this year, Holly knew just the right tribute that would be perfect for Ruby.

Ruby was a rescue dog but really she was the one who added something to our lives. She was the first shared responsibility my husband and I took on. She was a beautiful soul. Gentle and calm not bouncy like her breed naturally is but in her own way brightened our lives.

Since her passing, Kaiya has refused to sleep in the bed they shared. It's still like new so Holly has suggested that they donate the bed and some other pet supplies like shampoo, treats, poo bags, toy lead and collar to dogs like Ruby, that are looking for that perfect home.

A group of friends set up a charity called Adopt a Boxer Scotland which aims to rehome dogs that have come into their care for numerous different reasons. Some of them come with nothing and they depend on donations and contributions to ensure they start their new lives with the basics. 

After we dropped off the care package we went to visit Santa on his barge. It was a brilliant day and the expressions on their faces in the photos below say it all...

Buddy Blog Day 19: Operation Buddy's Backpack

Mary's Meals are a well known charity who raise funds to help feed children in Malawi. Part of their fundraising involves The Backpack Project. Most children turning up to school have nothing more than a plastic bag and not much within it. The backpack project aims to change this.

Simply, you buy or donate your backpack and fill it with essential supplies to help a child in Malawi get the most out of attending school.

Holly brought some pencils, pens and rulers to start John off and gave him a shopping list to source the rest of the items for the bag. I posted my plan on facebook and asked if anyone would like to take part. I'm pleased to report that 3 of my friends have pledged to do their own backpack so that's 4 including mine. I'd like to try and get more so that I have a decent amount so if you are interested and live locally please get in touch.

If you would like to see the backpack journey and the different it can make, this is a good video ... 

http://youtu.be/YHwKlcemyL8

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 18: Happy Birthday Buddy

Buddy is 3 today and his favourite game is pass the parcel. Holly had wrapped up a surprise gift for the game which turned out to be a new top for John to wear to the Christmas party today. We all sang Happy Birthday to Buddy.

John had his last day at Nursery and Santa came to visit all the boys and girls. Holly and Buddy enjoyed some cake and party games with the other toys while we were out. John wanted to make Buddy a card but we ran out of time today.  Maybe we will make him a belated one tomorrow. That's usually my style anyway!

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 17: Buddy Bubbles

Buddy was feeling a little ruddy after his baking yesterday so he decided to have a bubble bath. He had his towel turban on and a bath towel round to protect his dignity. He brought with him some lovely new soap and snowman bubble bath. He is now smelling as fresh as a daisy.

Holly brought gifts for John to give to his nursery teachers as it's his last day at Nursery before the Christmas break tomorrow.

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness

Buddy Blog Day 16: Buddy's Baffies

Buddy and Holly were found in the tree this morning. Buddy had on a pair of oversized baffies (slippers). Holly's note explained that she had bought them for Buddy but they were too big. She said she thought they might fit John and he was welcome to keep them.

John was delighted.  He said "It's so kind of Holly to do something kind for me today by bringing me elf baffies. Now I'm a proper elf like Buddy and I love love love them."

Buddy Blog Day 15: Cookie Monster

Head chef Buddy donned his hat and apron today. Armed with a baking bowl, spoon, cookie jar mix and his helpful assistants, he managed to knock up some delicious cookies. As there weren't really enough to share round the neighbours,  he suggested we buy some to take round. That is probably safer anyway although baking was closely monitored by Grandad Kevy.

Buddy Blog Day 14: While Mum is away the elves will play!

I had the night off and was out partying so it was Daddy's job to mind the elves. They got up to no good with Buddy swinging from the lights by the dog lead and Holly putting her feet up reading a book.

John still isn't too well today so it was a day in the house for Buddy and Holly. Just as well Holly makes a great nurse.

#SharingBuddysMagic #HollysHolidayHappiness