Ria Elaina – Let the Festivities Commence

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Ria Elaina Atkins

A Mum’s Life

Let me introduce myself – I’m Ria, Mum of two, married to my handsome hubby. I’m born and bred in my beloved Surrey and spend most of my time between here and London. I’m a handbag and shoe addict and lover of all things luxe.

To find out more about Ria’s luxe lifestyle follow her on Instagram @ria.elaina LET THE FESTIVITIES

This month started off with my son Zachary’s 4th Birthday Party which was pretty epic. As he is obsessed with pirates, we went for a pirate theme party in a local hall (which is definitely the way forward when you have 20 four-year olds running around!) My mum aka party planner extraordinaire managed to source a giant pirate ship prop which is actually used for film sets. So extra I know but anything to keep the little ones entertained! Lots

THE FESTIVITIES COMMENCE

of fun was had all round with the pirate entertainers, including a Jack Sparrow lookalike, who was a huge hit with the mums! For more information on who we used for the suppliers, please check out my Instagram.

With the festivities kicking off in full swing this year, it’s no wonder that people want to go all out when it comes to decorations. I think it’s a wonderful way to express your creativity and makes for such a lovely atmosphere. While traditionalists believe that Christmas trees should go up 12 days before Christmas, we love to enjoy the festivities for a little longer and so our tree is up by mid-November. The wonderful Fabienne Egger and her team helped me style it by sourcing some wonderful decorations. I also have a collection of my own decorations from over the years which gives my tree some history and meaning.

London is my absolute favourite city in the world, there’s no place like it. The dark late afternoons of December help make the lights and Christmas decorations all the more spectacular. My favourite place to eat out at Christmas is 34 Mayfair. It’s named ‘Miracle at 34’ because of its extravagant festive makeover which features 14,000 decorations covering every inch of the wall and ceilings. It certainly is a dazzling festive haven.

London hotels are fabulous for those festive celebrations. My favourites being The Savoy and Claridges. The Savoy always has a special place in my heart as it is where I got married 8 years ago. This year their decorations have transformed the hotel into a magical forest of tapering trees dripping with champagne coloured ornaments and lights. They have partnered with Nyetimber, which if you didn’t know, is the leading English sparkling wine

producer and is absolutely delicious. The iconic unveiling of the Claridges Christmas tree has everyone in suspense. Each year they collaborate with a leading creative from a fashion house to create a unique tree. Rumour has it that this year the collaboration is with Dior, I cannot wait to see that one.

The most magical place for families at this time of year has to be Lapland UK. It is a fully immersive experience including a theatre show, building your own toy in the toy factory, decorating gingerbread men with Mother Christmas, ice skating, seeing real life reindeer and meeting the main man himself, Father Christmas.

Each family gets to meet with him in a cosy log cabin with a roaring fire after having been lead through a forest with snow topped pine trees by a friendly elf. Whilst we were waiting to be seen an elf discreetly checked that Santa had all of Zachary’s personal details to make his meeting with him extra special, which it certainly was!

Whatever you wish for, the best gift of all, is love.