Tis the most wonderful time of the year

Making a list

One of the worst this about and the subsequent shopping is when you realise you have absolutely no idea what to buy someone. For me it's always my brother-in-law and dad. I never know what they'd like and my mum and sister are generally no help.

Guy also has this problem - or at least he thinks he does. Yesterday afternoon, while we were sitting down and relaxing with a soy, Black Forest, hot chocolate and salted caramel latte, Guy asked me what I wanted for . I knew this question was coming. It happens every year. Each year I have to rack me brains for ideas.

This year is even harder as we have a on the way and we don't want to spent too much. We'd argued that the was a Christmas for us both - it certainly was expensive enough, but we also wanted to have something to open on Day, even if it's only a token . I don't really want any clothes or and I have way too many hats and scarfs already. I also hate just listing off things I get as part of my normal shop like cleanser and toner, or anti-wrinkle cream. I can understand Guy conundrum. What to ask Santa for?

I decide I'd sit down when we got home and him a list. Not of things he has to get me. A list of things he could pick from or draw inspiration from. We also set ourselves a budget. £75/80 each to cover fillers and main present. And £20ish from the - yes I know... but we can't help it.

I really like this idea and it's something I want to implement as a tradition. I like the idea of all sitting round the dinning table on the first weekend of December and writing our lists to Santa on brightly coloured paper, maybe with a bit of glitter and sparkle mixed in. Maybe the little one will be too young next year, and it will probably be pushing it the following year as well, but I think it will be something fun I can keep and treasure. I have a feeling next year will involve hand prints.

So what's on the list? I thought I'd keep it simple for him: some books (short story collections), new jewellery box/trays, nail vanish/effects, dress rings, jelly beans, facial and make-up sponges, and a charm/bauble for my bracelet.

Apparently he's all shopped out. He even had the chance to play/test drive a few prams as well.