Beginning of Advent

December greetings to you all!

I cannot believe that it's the beginning of Advent already. It all feels so surreal to me this year - I'm often accused of being err... premature with my festive preparations but this year I feel almost as if I'm cheating and it's not really time to get out the advent calendars or have my cake ready - does that make any sense?

I think it's more than the fact that it's crept up so fast. A lot has gone on for us this year - we've been to hell and back and shaken to the core several times, and many things will never be the same again.

I feel so lucky to have Cameron around to remind me of the excitement, the family traditions he is looking forward to, the daft jokes I'd forgotten about from last year and the silly dance moves we made up to songs on our Christmas CD (that he insisted we put on last week). He beavers away in his room and emerges with a glint in his eye - telling me I'm not allowed to ask what he's up to and makes sure I observe the sign on his bedroom door telling me to keep out because there is "work in progress".

I also feel really proud of the work we've done on communicating more effectively with each other. Christmas, and other such occasions, can be so difficult for children (and adults) on the autistic spectrum but it's becoming a lot easier for us because we feel comfortable about speaking up, in a specific way, and changing plans to make it work in the best way for us.

I'm taking my cues from Cameron this year and aiming to keep things simple. I decided not to slave away on elaborate home made gifts for everyone. I truly believe in home made, and the majority of gifts I'm giving this year are home made, but (big personal progress for me) I don't believe in running myself into the ground to please others anymore - I'd much rather have the energy to put into being present, in the moment, with Cameron.

We mark the days of Advent with a treat from the fabric advent calendar, a door to open on a beautifully illustrated paper calendar, a daily advent candle that we burn a little of each day and the lighting of four advent candles for each of the Sundays of advent - this year we are using the four candles on the wooden pyramid that we bought at the German Christmas Market. This year we are also doing a starry sky behind our seasonal table - Cameron has cut out 24 little golden stars and a large one for Christmas day - we pin a star to the blue "sky" backdrop each day (lots of ideas for variations on these in All Year Round).

We have a collection of Christmas books and stories that come out at the beginning of Advent - Cameron's favourite is a Garfield one that I saved from my own childhood.

We usually fill our spare time during advent with baking, crafts, seasonal music, decorating and preparing secret surprises for each other. We also like to watch a few Christmas movies (this, this and this are usually top of the list) and go out to look at the Christmas lights in the town centre.