Welcome to Our New Christmas Blog!

Meet the Claus Family 🎅🤶

Ay up, fellow festive enthusiasts! 🎉

We're absolutely buzzing to welcome you to our newest haven, Midsmas, wholly dedicated to the enchantments and splendours of Christmas in the Midlands.

We're the Pendlebury clan: Joe, or 'Mr Claus', and Alex, lovingly known as 'Mrs Claus'. While Alex's roots are firmly planted in South Staffordshire, I'm a South Derbyshire lad through and through. Today, Derby is home, where we're blessed to share our Christmas passions with our three delightful elves - Max (8), Mia (6), and Holly (2). 🎄👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Christmas isn't just a season for us; it's a lifestyle. 🌟 We're all about that festive flair 365 days a year, and we've gathered a treasure trove of insights about Christmas celebrations in the Midlands. But our Christmas curiosity doesn't stop at the Midlands' borders. We're adventurers at heart, often wandering up North and beyond. So, don't be taken aback if you stumble upon tales of festive delights from regions afar. But, rest assured, our core remains where England's heart beats loudest - right here in the Midlands. 💖🗺️

The Birth of Midsmas 🌱

Alright, let's dive into how the whole Midsmas magic began! Fuelled by our family’s crazy love for Christmas, we thought, “Why not start a Midlands-focused Christmas Facebook group?” And so, "Midsmas - Christmas in the Midlands" was born. We wanted it to be a fun hangout spot for Christmas fans from everywhere, but with a special sprinkle of Midlands' festive flair. And guess what? Our little group blew up! In less than two years, we've got over 20,000 Christmas lovers hanging out with us there. 🎉💻

Now, here’s a little secret: this isn’t our first rodeo. Before Midsmas, we kicked off "Days Out in the Midlands," which later turned into "Family Days Out in the Midlands". With a lot of love and a lot of fun chats, it grew to a cool 40,000 members in just two years. But, as much as we loved it, we decided to hand over the keys and zoom in on what makes our hearts sing the loudest: Christmas in our lovely region. We tinkered with a couple of other Christmassy groups, and then - boom! - Midsmas was born, and we’ve been riding that festive sleigh ever since! 🛷🎄

More Than Just a Facebook Group 📢

Midsmas is way more than just a Facebook group – it’s a cracking Christmas community filled with the most amazing members that we love to call our festive fam. 🥰

We’re on the frontlines, researching the web and socials daily to dig up the best Christmassy gems in the Midlands for you. Think bustling markets, enchanting Santa's Grottos, and heaps more! But, wait! We’re just getting started! We also spill the beans on cool gift ideas, the latest in Christmas decor, and those must-have festive goodies launching soon. And yep, we’re talking about snagging those awesome festive family PJs that we all adore and, let's be honest, totally need for those cosy December nights! 🎅🎄🧦

Our Commitment to Inclusivity 💪❤️

In our family, everyone's got their special spark, and we're passionate about embracing every bit of it. Our dynamo Max shows one facet of the Autism spectrum coupled with ADHD. Then, on a completely different note, we have our radiant Mia or "Mimi". She's non-verbal and stands on the more severe end of the Autism spectrum, but her unique magic is undeniable.✨

Adding to our journey, our littlest jingle bell, Holly, is currently navigating her own diagnosis process.

Having such diverse experiences within our own clan has transformed us into fierce champions for all families who wade through the waters of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). With Midsmas at the forefront, our vision is unwavering: collaborate with event organisers to ensure everyone, regardless of where they fall on the spectrum or any other needs, gets to bask in the Midlands' Christmas magic. It's heartwarming to see many event leaders in our region rallying to ensure all families, including ours and many in our Facebook tribe, feel the festive love. Here's to a Christmas that leaves no one behind! 🎄🤗🌟

Dive Into the Midsmas Adventure 🚀

Ready to hop on this festive ride? As the leaves fall and autumn fades, our Midsmas corner lights up like the star on a Christmas tree. 🌟

So, snag that beloved Christmas mug of yours, pour in some lush hot cocoa topped with those cute mini marshmallows, snuggle up, and let Midsmas stories whisk you away to a winter wonderland. 🍫☕️❄️

Hungry for more festive vibes? Dive into our buzzing Facebook group. Our Christmas hearth is big and warm, always ready to make new festive friends. And hey, if you think you're late (or super early!) to the festive fun, don't fret! We're sprinkling Christmas magic all year round. Pop by any time, and you might just snag early bird info on upcoming events, especially those can't-miss ticket announcements. Remember, the early elf gets the best toys! 😉 We're here making sure you're always in the loop. Let the festivities begin! 🎉🎁🎄

Supporting the Magic ✨

You light up our journey like fairy lights on a tree! Hunting down Midlands' festive treasures isn't a walk in a snowy park, but we're usually the first to uncover those must-attend events. Your kindness keeps our spirits high during those early birds and night owl moments. Fancy adding a dash of cocoa to our Christmas grind? Treat us to a warm sip on our Buy Me A Coffee Page ☕️. Each generous pour just ramps up the festive feels. 🌟

Gratitude at its Festive Best ❤️

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your belief and support is the grandest Christmas present for us. Together, let’s make Christmas in the Midlands a heart-warming, inclusive, and truly magical experience. Cheers to new beginnings! 🥂🎄