A Common Thread with Yoanna Hanbury
What are your family Christmas Rituals?
As I am German and Charlie is English, we celebrate on Christmas Eve as well as Christmas Day. Early December, the girls write a wish list and letter to Christkind (Christ Child), which then gets laid outside our front door, under a stone in the evening. In the morning, the girls excitedly rush to the door to find the letter has gone but instead the stone is covered with lots of magical, golden glitter, which means that Christkind has been to collect it.
In the evening of the 24th the Chirstkind comes and delivers some gifts under the tree. My family dresses up in festive dresses and smoking, then we wait for the bell to ring, which means Christkind has been. It's such a lovely, exciting and extremely festive evening. On the morning of the 25th Father Christmas has brought the girls stockings and we celebrate the whole day with our family. They get the best of both worlds, very lucky girls!
What are the most special moments for you during the Christmas season?
For me it’s the no rushing to school in the mornings, no pressure, just quality time together and cosy movie nights or board games. Long walks with the dogs and going on hacks with the horses. Enjoying every moment together as a family. Seeing the girl's face expression when the bell rings on Christmas Eve, or all of us cuddled up in bed together opening up our stockings. Its a season of being together with all our loved ones.
What will you be doing in your smocked Nightingale gowns this Christmas season?
We normally wear our beautiful smocked Nightingale dresses on the evening of the 24th of December. They are so special and the girls love to wear them when they open their stockings from Father Christmas.
What is your favourite book to read to your girls during December?
There are many that we love. I especially like to read them my German favourites from my childhood.
Here are a few of our English favourites:
A Christmas Carol
Where Snow Angels Go
The Snowman
How Winston delivered Christmas
Babar And Father Christmas
What is your favourite piece in the Smock London collection?
That's tricky to answer, as there are so many lovely pieces. I think my favourite piece is the timeless smock Christmas Nightingales.
Many people tell us that they remember a smocked dresses from their childhood. Do you have any Smocked Dress memories?
My mother has many photos of me as a child in beautiful smocked dresses, so I love seeing the girls wearing the same from when I was little.
We love your Mummy and Me style - can you tell us why you enjoy coordinating with your girls and what defines your Mummy and Me look?
I match the girls most days as it saves time and arguing about outfits. They love to match anyways so there is no jealousy. It's also easier to shop and they are easier to spot! So until they tell me otherwise we like to match. Occasionally I can join in, or I wear similar colours. Cara says it's team Hanbury!
