Christmas is a time of year to spread the magic of the season to everyone in my life (Picture: Sarah Whiteley)
Looking at the pile of brightly-wrapped presents in front of me, I felt a glow of pride.
I couldn’t wait to see the joy on the recipient’s face as they unwrapped them, or hear their exclamations of surprise and happiness.
But these gifts weren’t for my two children – Theo, six, and Immy, four. No, their presents were still in the loft. These ones were for my husband, Tom.
This might not seem so novel, but then again, Coleen Rooney did recently reveal in an interview that she and husband Wayne don’t give each other Christmas presents.
‘We don’t buy for each other, we’ve been together too long,’ explained the 37-year-old WAG. ‘Birthdays, yeah, but Christmas is all about the kids.’
On that last part, I couldn’t disagree more.
Naturally, when I look back to my favourite memories of Christmas past, yes, I think of the excitement of finding a new pair of pyjamas on my bed after my bath on Christmas Eve.
Of me and my sister waiting impatiently at the top of the stairs with my mam, while my dad went down to ‘see if Santa had been’ (i.e. to turn on the Christmas tree lights and the fire) before finally hurtling into the living room and feeling my eyes widen at the sight of our sofa and armchair, covered in gifts.
But for me, Christmas is a time of year to spread the magic of the season to everyone in my life, to show them how much they mean to me by spoiling them a little – no matter their age.
I go out and purchase Tom presents each year – and he’s not the only one I buy for either (Picture: Sarah Whiteley)
I remember saving up my pocket money from October, then raiding Superdrug’s pick and mix bath selection to pick presents for my friends when I was in my first years of secondary school.
When I got my first job at 16, I loved spending full days at our local shopping mall and coming home, laden down with bags upon bags of presents. I even enjoyed spending hours wrapping them just right, complete with a contrasting bow and ribbon, so they looked perfect.
I adored – and still adore – handing over these gifts, feeling my stomach fizz with excitement as they ripped them open, hoping they’d like them as much as I thought they would.
That’s why I go out and purchase Tom presents each year. This year he has a new pair of trainers and jeans, a book he’d mentioned, two records he’d sent me the link to, and a couple of surprises to open.
Come Christmas Day, he is going to be over the moon (or at least, I hope so).
He’s not the only one I buy for either. Next to his pile of presents are a smaller, but still substantial, stack for my mam, my dad, my sister, my brother-in-law, my niece, my nephew, and even my friends’ children.
I squirrel away money for months, pick up presents all year, and am a regular visitor to the charity shops on our high street, in order to afford this – and if funds allowed, I wouldn’t stop there.
Having children of my own has added an extra magical flare to the month of December – but it isn’t just about them (Picture: Sarah Whiteley)
Of course, having children of my own now has added an extra magical flare to the month of December. My parents ensured that Christmas was always a special time of year for me, and I want to do the same for my little ones.
Tom and I giggle every night as we set up Theo and Immy’s Elf of the Shelf scene and fill their wooden advent calendars with chocolate coins or mini bags of sweets.
We take them shopping to pick their Christmas jumpers as soon as December hits and buy tickets for them to have breakfast with Santa and go to the local panto.
Of course, we also buy them presents to open on the main day itself.
But it isn’t just about them – Christmas, for us, is a celebration of the whole family.
And, I must qualify, it’s not just about gifts. It’s about making time for each other, enjoying one other’s company.
Tom and I always take a day off work in December while Theo and Immy are in school and nursery to do a bit of Christmas shopping, go out for lunch and maybe even squeeze in a film if we have time.
Colleen Rooney recently revealed in an interview that she and husband Wayne don’t give each other Christmas presents (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
My sister and I arrange a night out with our parents, just the four of us, whether that be to go to a concert or the theatre, or out for a meal.
Tom’s parents visit for the weekend and we always make sure we have lots of lovely things to eat in, and games to play, so they can enjoy some quality time with us all.
And I organise a day with my friends and their families, not just to give our children their Secret Santa presents, but also to spend an afternoon together, relaxing and catching up and laughing.
Although they’re all simple things, I love having the excuse to reconnect and spend time with my loved ones – especially at such a busy time of year, when everyone is frantic at work, fitting in last-minute shopping trips and flitting from one Christmas night out to another.
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Time, these days, is the real luxury and it feels like a real treat to just share that together.
But there’s nothing to say I can’t do all this and shower them with tokens of appreciation too,
So no, Colleen, Christmas isn’t just about the kids – not in my house and, I hope, not in so many other people’s. This is one case you can’t win.
And so I say, merry Christmas to all – adults and children alike – and to all a good night!
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Coleen Rooney admitted recently that her and Wayne don’t buy presents for one another.