Well….almost! After a super busy few weeks of markets, our launch party, and Flo’s first birthday party, and with pumpkin-fever now behind us, the countdown is officially on over at Cotswold Baby Co HQ! It’s actually a lot later than I’m used to. Working in retail for 12 years, with Christmas staffing meetings on a summer’s day, gift shop launch in September, I loved the run up to the final week, when we would be filling up shelves of Brussel sprouts and turkeys. Customers were (mostly) all jolly, and shops had a real buzz.
This year, our little cubs will both have turned one (Henry is a Christmas cub), and we are really looking forward to a very special Christmas with them. The calendar is already filling up with invites for baby parties, which will of course require novelty Christmas outfits! I plan to throw ourselves into the festive spirit by dressing Flo in something santa-related every day throughout December – and why not!
As well as Christmas, one of my other favourite things is shopping, (always helpful when you work in retail) and so buying our seasonal range for Cotswold Baby Co has been great fun. This was followed by another photoshoot in Joanna Osborne’s studio near Malmesbury, involving the usual star jumps, nursery rhymes, and general smarties bribery to try and get all the babies to look in Jo’s direction.
We are delighted with our quirky Rudolph and Christmas Pudding Leggings from Blade and Rose, which have been our best sellers (already!) at our markets and launch party. Customers have loved to buy them in different sizes for a family of matching Christmas bottoms! They are stretchy and warm for winter, and look great with white tops or chunky cable knit jumpers. Little Cub Arabella loved showcasing our super stripey Father Christmas Pyjamas, which are soft, snug and great fun, and feature at the top spot on her wish list.
Check out our new collection of beautiful hand knitted blankets too, which are the perfect size for prams and moses baskets. Our range includes a circus, a pirate, boats and bunnies, and our two favourites – the pony and tractor – very Cotswolds!
With 7 shopping weeks to go (52 sleeps in those new pjs), we hope to see you at a Christmas market soon – please do come and say hello! We will publish dates on our website and facebook, so follow us to keep updated. Or shop online in the warmth of your own home at www.cotswoldbabyco.co.uk. Then with your shopping complete, you can relax and enjoy the tree decorating, mistletoe kissing, carol singing, and mince pie munching. And of course everyone’s Christmas guilty pleasure – singing along to Mariah at the top of our voices.
I wonder if it’s too soon for a mulled wine?