Christmas Through Their Eyes

My eyes water. Wind, sharp and stinging, pushes my hood down and  drives me back. I lean in, but not in a Sheryl Sandberg way. I've got 58 minutes and five tasks. Stocking fillers. A fancy gift box. A Secret Santa pick-up. Stamps. A book. Dark shapes huddle under hoods, rushing in all directions, maybe ...

The Midwinter Break

Outside, the garden is shrouded in fog, but the kids haven’t noticed, because they’re on the couch watching Gumball. They’re eating melted butter toast. I’m drinking coffee. They’re in pyjamas, and for the first morning since sometime back in August, they can stay in them. No swimming, no hockey, no football, no school. Nowhere to ...

The Christmas Card List

Christmas decoration - office mum

The first people on the list have had a house move since last year. I write the card, then address it with the unfamiliar street name. Next, four non-movers, then another new address. This time I don’t know it. I send a message to ask. The card won’t be a surprise but that's OK, cards aren’t really a surprise. Three more ...

Santa Visit Review – Airfield Estate Christmas Experience

Airfield Christmas at dusk - Office Mum

Dusk. A mild November evening, with a huge purple sky above, and twinkly lights visible in the distance. They ran, one following the other, through the falling darkness. They'd just seen real reindeer, and now they wanted to take a peek into Santa's bedroom. Rushing, single-minded, single-file. We had arrived at the Airfield Estate Christmas Experience ...