Journal | Fieldnotes

Although the Christmas decorations are down, I always feel sad getting rid of the Christmas tree. It's such a shame! And after a few weeks drying in our warm kitchen, it smells SO good now; all herbal and aromatic.

Every year at HQ we do Secret Santa as a team. It puts the fear into a few of us - especially as we ceremonially open them in turn, evaluating the gifts with a few laughs.

So, how's the Christmas shopping going? One of our staff at HQ, Marie, has her presents bought AND wrapped by September EVERY year. I mean how is this even possible?!

Earlier this year on a snowy evening in January, I got a phone call from my Mum. I knew immediately something was wrong. Her lovely voice sounded strange and slurred. She was having a stroke. And a pretty bad one too, as it turned out.

All year round, I keep a stash of Winter Candles in a cupboard in the living room at home. During the Summer, my kids love to stick their faces in the cupboard to 'smell Christmas' and get a fix of Winter fragrance.

Although we're not quite ready to put up the Christmas tree at HQ just yet, we can't wait to get decorating it. After all, there are few things more nostalgic or magical than then the scent of a real tree.