On Sunday I got on with making a gingerbread house. I make it in exactly the same way each year. It's one of my Christmas Traditions. I don't have many traditions, just a few. Simple ones that I enjoy and want to do each year. Last year, I went into detail on another blog about how I set about making them. Not everyone will be interested, and it would make this post far too long, so if you want to take a look you can. I copied the page exactly as I'd written it and transferred it over to this blog. [Click here to see my step by step 'how to'] There is also a link to website that has the template I use, along with the recipe I use.Here is the finished house for this year.
It's not about making it pefect (just as well, they never are!), it's about making lovely memories for my little girl. She loved helping sprinkle on the silver and gold dragees.I am quite proud of the snowmen, I made them myself with icing. Everything is edible, apart from the stem of the Christmas tree.
This little chap peeps out of the chimney.
On Christmas Eve I make sure I make a little time for myself to have a soak in the bath. Ideally with a glass of champagne, and a few candles dotted around, but always with a [Christmas Pudding Bath Bomb from Lush]. It makes a mess of the bath, and I mutter under my breath as I scrub it afterwards, but Christmas would not be the same without my bath bomb.
Later on Christmas Eve, we gather goodies for Father Christmas and the reindeer, and leave by the fire. A mince pie, a small glass of whisky, some carrots and a little note. All left on a tray and placed where he can find them. Such small traditions are what make this time of year so magical. Even before our little girl came along, the husband and I would do this. I make mince pies too. Once at the start of the month, and then again in time for Christmas Eve. I'm not a huge mince pie fan, but these ones are yummy and easy to make. A shop bought packet of dessert pastry, and a jar of mince are all that's needed. I make them teeny tiny, using what I assume is a mini quiche or tart tray. The photo in the centre looks a bit odd, but that's because I line each section with non stick foil. A bit of a fiddly faff to do, but it makes it very easy to get them out again once cooked.
I sprinkle a little granulated sugar on before baking, then dust with icing sugar once they've cooled down. I made some this morning, and snaffled a couple with a brew for my lunch.
And of course, I love to sit back and look at the tree. What's the point in making all the effort if you don't take time to sit and appreciate it? 
Everyone has their own Christmas Traditions, the ones I've written about aren't unique and are similar to those of millions of other people, I know, but they still feel like 'mine' and I look forward to doing them each year.