Christmas Wish List with a Twist

It’s so easy to get caught up in the festive craziness, attending events and writing lists of things to do, give and receive. What about writing a new kind of ‘wish list’ this Christmas?  A Christmas Wish list with a twist or a letter to your loved one. A lifestyle list that let’s your partner/loved one know what you appreciate and what you’d love to receive more of!

You know how big we are on the ‘relationship’ side of parenting and how crucial it is to keep the love alive. Don’t worry…this is not as emotionally charged as my dear husband letter, but is a great way to communicate to eachother what you love and what you need more of. In the kitchen, the bedroom…

Here’s mine to give you an idea:

To my darling husband,

Merry Christmas. Thank you for another wonderful year! In addition to new running shoes and a natural eco-friendly lipstick, here’s what I would love for Christmas and 2013:

Quality Time:

To go away with you for an overnight (or longer) to be able to ‘relax’ in eachothers’ company instead of quickly updating eachother amidst interrupted conversation and constantly tagging out of taking care of the kids.  We used to do this once a year but it seems to have slipped to the wayside amongst life with three kids.

More ‘date nights’ or better yet a ‘date lunch’ like Wendy and her helpful hubby do. Or even to swap babysits with neighbours so we can go for a walk together to ‘debrief’ our day once a week.

With the Kids:

Morning: Thanks for getting up at 6 am with the kids,  I know it’s tough helping the kids while you’re trying to get out the door. The biggest thing you can do to help me in the morning is making Ruby’s school lunch. It really makes the school run easier. So thanks for the times you’ve done it -we both really appreciate it!

Kitchen: I don’t mind doing the dishes. It actually makes me feel like I’ve ‘achieved’ something. If you watch the kids in the bath, I will do the dishes and everyone’s happy!

Around the House:

Laundry: I don’t mind doing the laundry but it’s the getting it back into the kids drawers that gets me. Any time you can bring it in from the washing line or deliver it to the bedrooms

Dinner: As you know I find the whole ‘dinner thing’ quite stressful. In fact, it’s main reason I would consider getting an Au Pair. The pressure to present something palatable, the children hanging off my legs… it’s more stress than enjoyment. I truly love it when you cook dinner on the weekends so thank you -keep it up! Rather than eating with the kids every night, I’d like us to eat a relaxed and romantic dinner together (once the kids are in bed) maybe twice a week.

The Mess:  I know the mess bothers you. It bothers me too and I try but tidyness is not my forte. If we had the money I would put a cleaner or a professional declutterer on my wish list. 

In the Bedroom:

I’ve noticed a trend among my friends who have read Fifty Shades of Grey.  Most of them were given the book by their husbands!  Yep I’m keen for a bit more adventure in the bedroom, a bit of music, some lovely lingerie, possibly a blindfold, but most of the other stuff in the book had me rolling my eyes. Sometimes less is more…

For the Future:

Thank you for carrying the burden of ‘bringing home the bacon’ so that I could be at home with the kids.  I really do value that, even though I sometimes/often look overwhelmed and anxious when you walk through the door at the end of the day.  Now that we’re officially out of the ‘baby stage’ I am keen to consider some paid work options.

That’s my list! I hope you get the gist and get inspired to pen one of your own and give it to your partner/loved one.  Leave a ‘comment’ with some ideas for your list and let me know what hubby thinks -get him to write one too!