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I have this thing about Christmas, to me, Christmas is not just relegated to December. Why should we only talk, plan and celebrate the magic of Christmas for just one month out of the entire year? Especially when us parents are telling our little ones that they had better have been good ALL year as Santa is always watching. Although there is something special about having to wait for eleven months before the magic is unleashed yet again.
Each year I look for ways in which I can make Christmas a little more special, more meaningful, more memorable for the children (and a little bit for myself too). This Christmas I have something special for us all to enjoy as part of the run-up to Christmas. A way to countdown the days, reaffirm our belief in Santa and ensure that we are always leaning towards the good list. This year I have a copy of The Christmas Present by Alexander McCabe, featuring Gabriel The Elf.
The Christmas present written by Alexander McCabe
Did you know that at the very moment you were born Mrs Claus allocated you an elf? It’s true! Your very own elf who watches to see when you have been naughty and nice. Every year, just before Christmas, your elf reports to Santa and Mrs Claus so they can decide what presents you can have from your list.
Yet there are some people who don’t believe in Santa. I know, it’s crazy…but it’s true! Once they stop believing in Santa, then their elf is banished from the North Pole and only allowed to return when they start believing in him again.
Gabriel the Elf is worried. His child is beginning to think that Santa isn’t real. He doesn’t want to be sent away from all his friends at the North Pole, but what can he do? There is only one thing he can do…
He must prove Santa is real.
What I thought of The Christmas Present…
I have to confess that I have not yet shared the story of The Christmas Present with the children. It is something that I am waiting for until December 1st – alongside the arrival of the Christmas tree and decorations. I have, however, enjoyed the story a couple of times as it is such a heartwarming Christmas tale. One that makes you stop and think about Christmas.
The book is not like your typical Christmas book in that it comprises of 96 pages, so a much more substantial read than ones you have read previously. Separated into chapters, it makes it much easier for you to read one each night over the course of a week or so rather than digesting a whole story start to finish in one sitting (and possibly never read again).
Throughout the chapters, you are treated to full-page illustrations which can help to bring the story alive – especially for younger children. Although having read the story I do feel it is aimed at children aged 6-11 years. But I’m sure Piglet will be happy to sit and snuggle whilst the story is read either by myself or one of her older siblings.
The Christmas present snowglobe
The Christmas Present story is available to buy on its own or as part of a special gift set. The gift set contains a copy of the book as well as a special snowglobe to help bring the magic of the story alive – plus who doesn’t love snowglobes? Both of these are then housed in a beautiful box, which not only makes it the perfect gift, but also something that will be brought out each Christmas and enjoyed time and time again.
Where can you buy The Christmas Present by Alexander McCabe?
The Christmas Present book and gift sets are available to buy from Amazon and WHSmith branches. Alexander McCabe will also be hosting some book signings at selected WHSmith stores across the UK. For further details head over to his events page.
Win The Christmas Present Gift Set
To help you share the magic of Christmas, we are lucky enough to have an additional The Christmas Present gift set to giveaway.
Prize: The Christmas Present gift set
To enter simply complete the Gleam widget below, all entries are optional and each one completed will gain you more entries into the random draw.
The Christmas Present: Gift Box Set
115 Comments
everything .i.m christmas mad
My favourite thing is decorating the house and watching my youngest get more and more excited
A few days away from work to relax with the family
I love seeing the lights and decorations!
Spending time with loved ones and seeing everyone happier and less stressed
I love spending time with my family over the festive period 🙂 And I also love seeing all the pretty lights!
family time
Spending time with family.
the exciting build up, waiting for the big man to arrive
Its watching my boy open his presents
Christmas dinner
Being with family and not worrying about how much food I eat!
I love to watch the children opening their presents
Love being with all the family, eating drinking and playing games
My favourite thing about xmas is the annual panto
I love everything about Christmas! The cold (ish) weather, the decorations, the gift buying, my kids excitement (this is the best bit), it brings the magic back abit when you have children.
The food is my favourite thing about Christmas
For me it has to be eating way to much food and having fun with my family
My favourite thing about Christmas is spending time with my family x
I just love all the family time we spend together.
I love the uninterrupted time with the family, no work, no school, just fun
Family time & the cosiness! Oh and definitely the food 😀
I love the build up – the gift shopping, wrapping, the lights, the music, the films it all feels so magical
A cute present for the grandchild!
Christmas lunch with family
seeing my children opening thier pressies x
Family fun and games
Seeing the magic in my children’s eyes
Family together, feeling young again, thinking of dearly departed and new members of family, board games that become bored games, wrapping paper everywhere, excited children, crazy dogs. Just a fab time.
I love Christmas Day and connecting with family and friends
Boxing day; when the worst is over!!
The christmas dinner!!
Sitting on boxing day with a feeling of satisfaction that everyone is happy and I can relax with a book! xx
I love watching my little grandchildren’s faces when they meet Santa Claus
I love all the excitement on the children’s faces. It’s all so magical.
I love showing my daughter all the wonderful traditions! We’re reading an advent story this year!
Having some quality time with the family
I love everything about xmas, but my very fav thing is the atmosphere that xmas brings, everything is sparkly and bright, lights twinkle outside house, anticipation into what present you will get! I love the build up to it.
Love having the time to spend with family.
Love spending quality time with family and friends at this seasonal time of year and watching the saucery eyes of the little ones – magical
Christmas dinner with my family x
I love the christmas lights on the tree as it makes the house all cosy, and i also love how excited my daughter gets about christmas.
Seeing how happy little ones are
This would be a lovely gift for my nieces!
Putting the tree up & seeing my kids’ faces when they see their presents 🙂
Watching the children open their presents on Christmas morning!
Watching my Granddaughter open her presents, the look on her face is always amaizing
I love visiting christmas markets and spending time with family.
Having all the family together on Christmas day
I love everything about it, but its seeing the kids excitement Christmas morning which always brings a tear to my eye, seeing their faces when unwrapping their presents and the excitement they show, when they have gotten what they wanted, its wonderful
Everyone is always so happy and its the most precious thing in the world to see how excited the children are xx
Spendin time with the family as Christmas is some years the only time we see each other as live so far apart
I love getting to make Christmas magical for my son, seeing his little face light up at the decorations and Santa etc is wonderful x
Spending time with family and loved ones
My favourite thing about christmas is seeing the happiness in my daughters eyes as she experiences the magic of christmas
the turkey dinner
Seeing my great granddaughter getting excited
Spending quality time with family
everything! It is my favourite time of year and makes me super happy 😀
I love meeting up with m,y family
Christmas Eve with the kids – our traditional trip to the panto, new PJ’s before bed & much excitement!
Favourite thing about Christmas :- It being the Season of Goodwill.
My fav thing about Christmas is spending time with friends and family
watching my kids open there presents
I love the build up 🙂 love doing the tree with a Christmas film in the background
Lots of family time!
Xmas dinner with my son and his family ( my son cooks)
I love the whole atmosphere of Christmas.
I can still remember that sick with excitement feeling I would have on Christmas eve then feeling even more excited when I had my own children.
Has to be food the pig in blankets, Turkey, potatoes, veg so tasty.
My favourite thing about Christmas is seeing my little boys opening their presents.
Decorating the tree and preparing the food!
I love the food, the extra excuses (not that we should need them) to socialise with friends and family, self-indulge and make memories.
Love the decorations and lights.
I just love having the whole family at home and everyone happy and enjoying themselves.
Spending time with family
has to be the food
We decorate the tree as a family with the kids choosing a new bauble/decoration to buy each year.
parkrun and my dinner
I love having all the family at home
Love seeing everyone opening their pressies. Even my dogs. Ripped paper everywhere.
I love the atmosphere and eating lots of chocolate of course
I love all of the food. Especially the stuffing cooked with the turkey.
Spending extra time with all the family
Playing with my little grandson on Christmas Day
Drinking sherry at 9 a.m. without askew glances….
Spending precious time with my family
Spending the time with family, around the dinner table eating a lovely Christmas dinner
Would have to be getting together for Christmas Dinner. Oh and the crackling from the pork.
Sending time with the family
Watching the kids faces
Just spending time with my children
Has to be experiencing the joys of Christmas all over again with my little boy and spending time with the family
I love the whole build up and the look on my son’s face when he sees his presents x
My mother in law’s homemade Christmas pudding!
My favourite thing about Christmas is the great food and drink.
Spending time with my family
I love seeing the excitement on my kids faces
Catching up with family and friends is the best part of Christmas.
Seeing the kids faces when they realise that santa has been
I love the build up to Christmas, every one is excited and the festive parties are brilliant too.
I love spending time with my family and eatling lots of nice treats!
Spending time with my family and seeing my children happy
Making memories and traditions to last our family a lifetime!
spending quality time with the family
All the twinkly lights and spending time with family
Spending time with those people that you care about, whether that be friends or family or those in the community who get together at Christmas to enjoy a meal together.
Time off of work and time off of school and quality time together. I cannot wait
Seeing my kids’ faces and excitement.
I love cooking all the delicious Christmas food.
Christmas Eve because it is so exciting and magical for the children x
I love all the magic and excitement of Xmas from the kids about santa coming
l love the whole family being together Christmas day as normally its so hard to get to see everyone on the same day.
My favourite thing about Christmas is watching my children get excited, you can feel the electricity in the air as the days & the magic get closer.
My favourite thing about Christmas is my son getting excited about Santa! He was afraid of him last year but is three now so understands much more.
I love everything about it – the food, fun and excitement!