Our Christmas gingerbread
Last night I managed to bring the girls down from their rooms (no small feat after school, against the strong pull of chatting with their friends!) to bake some Christmas gingerbread. To my surprise—and joy—it took no effort at all. They both jumped at the suggestion, something that doesn’t happen so often these days (they’re nearly 12 and 15). We began with our standard recipe: a hand‑scribbled copy of Mary Berry’s gingerbread from my mum, tucked away in a recipe book. My intention to write it out properly always gets lost in the chaos of Christmas prep.
Of course, there was the usual amount of bickering (!!). Family life is never quite as rosy as we’d love to portray, but in essence they were enjoying it. The arguments are the same every single time we bake together, and they still slip naturally into their big sister/little sister roles.
I’d been contemplating what to write about for this Christmassy blog, and last night gave me the answer—the value of these little traditions as anchor points and markers in our lives. For the girls, I’m sure they’re markers of stability, a reassurance that amidst all the changes of growing up, there will always be these moments where we come together and weave a golden thread of family love at key points in the year. We have traditions throughout the year, not just at Christmas, and despite the changes in life, they’re always embraced with enthusiasm. If I ever dare suggest we might not manage one, it’s met with such disappointment that I always find a way. I love that.
For me, these traditions are also a way of marking time. They regularly spark reflection, often prompted by me trawling through my Google Photos to find us doing the same things in years gone by. Here are some from previous years (not allowed to share current pics!!), including my Dad joining in and drawing underwear on his biscuits - that's Dad hahaha! Finding the photos has also made me realise this seems to be a pyjama activity!
Photos are truly a gift (and not just the professional ones!)
Capturing those moments—even just on your phone—becomes a way of preserving not only the memory but the passage of time itself. Looking back at last year’s gingerbread, or the year before, is more than nostalgia. It’s a reminder for me of how precious each day is. Traditions are like little bookmarks, marking the passage of time in annual chapters. When I pause to reflect, I see just how transient it all is. That awareness doesn’t diminish the joy; it deepens it. It gives me the gift of remembering, in real time, to treasure what I have, to be grateful, and to value every opportunity to spend time with my girls. It’s so easy to let time pass without being present. It’s also easy to slip into complacency, thinking things will always be like this. Believe me, they change super fast!
I still use my phone camera, despite having all the gear and skills. It’s my go‑to for catching moments. Do that, people! Don’t let moments slip by without preserving them. We are so lucky to be able to do that with so little effort—photos are precious.
And as I’m here as a photographer, I’d love to suggest you consider inviting me along for one of your annual traditions—at any point in the year. The photos you’ll get from having me hover around will capture more than a bookmark for your ritual. They’ll weave the story of the feelings and essence of the tradition in a way that’s timeless—not just for the year I’m there, but as a summary of all the years of that tradition. Choosing to invest in a shoot marks it as something truly valuable to your family. The children will grow up with those pictures, remember the tradition, and pass it down into their own children’s lives. That’s the golden thread that weaves a family together.
Plus, you’ll all be in the pictures—and that is a true gift to your children one day. Things change, but your golden thread and anchors are the intentional moments you spend together. Let’s save those for you and create something beautiful.
