The 12 Days of Christmas - ME Style
On the First Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….an advent calendar and candle.
Dear Emie,
Enclosed is an Advent calendar from Hotel Chocolat (www.hotelchocolat.co.uk) it has yummy chocolate behind each door which I know you find easy to swallow. I have also included a picture calendar in case your food allergies are bad. There is also an advent candle (www.candlesontheweb.co.uk) that you can light and think of me! Your True Love Nick x
On the Second Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a box of card making items including card blanks, envelopes, stickers, ink stamps, sequins, glue and scissors.
Dear Emie,
I thought you might enjoy the enclosed. You can use them to make cards for the special people in your life (hint, hint!). You can do a little bit at a time and get your family to help you. Your True Love Nick x
On the Third Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. a pile of catalogues.
Dearest Emie,
I know you wanted some independence this year to choose your own presents, so I thought that these might find these useful. I Want One Of Those (www.iwoot.co.uk) have lots of gadgets, Thornton’s (www.thorntons.co.uk) do chocolate your Mum would love and Argos (www.argos.co.uk) has lots of unusual items. You can order from the catalogues or get someone to do it online for you. I’ve marked a few pages of things I might like, just in case you are feeling brain fog and need some suggestions! Your True Love Nick x
On the Fourth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. A mini Christmas tree and decorations.
Dear Emie,
Christmas decorations have been in the shops since September and it’s time to bring them into your room! I got this little Christmas tree from a garden centre; but I also saw them in B&Q. The decorations should bring some sparkle to your room and there is a set of lights in case your light sensitivity isn't too bad. Your True Love Nick x
On the Fifth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. wrapping paper, crepe paper, ribbons, gift bags, boxes and jiffy padded envelopes.
My Dearest Emie,
I thought you might want to start wrapping up your presents or get your family to help you. There is also some crepe paper and ribbons to use for your SAM friends who can't easily open presents or cope with the ripping paper noise. I even found some pretty gift bags and boxes that don't take any wrapping at all. Your True Love Nick x
On the Sixth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….packs of printed Christmas cards, address labels and name stamps.
Darling Emie,
Time is getting on and with all your pen pals I know you're running out of cards, so I got some personalised, printed cards from Ace (www.24ace.co.uk) to save you writing them. There are also some specially printed labels with Happy Christmas love Emie on them and a name stamp, that you can use on any other cards you have. I’ve also gone through your address book and made address labels to stick on your envelopes and parcels to send off. How’s your post office coping? Your True Love Nick x
On the Seventh Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a tape recorder, notebook, diary, red card, a Do Not Disturb sign and ear plugs.
Dear Emie,
Today’s gift is a visitor survival pack! Everything you need to help get you through the festive season. Use the diary to plan visitors. It goes through to January so you could spread people out over the next couple of months.
I know you are worried about seeing people, they aren't all as understanding as me! Try not to get too stressed about it or worry what you look like, I know you’d prefer to be able to get dressed and wash your hair; but it’s ok really, you look as well as can be expected and there will be years for you to wow them with your beauty!
Try not to let any comments upset you, some people just don’t understand, they aren’t trying to be mean, just think about it as a disability they have – lack of empathy! Just do what you can and if it all gets too much you can always say you’ve had enough.
The red card you can put down when you're too tired to talk to your visitor anymore. Get someone to explain in advance so that when the visitors see it they will know it’s time to go, without you feeling rude.
If you’re not up to seeing the person on the day you can use the tape recorder or notebook to get them to leave you a message which you can look at when you’re feeling a bit better.
There is also a Do Not Disturb sign to put on your door, to stop people barging into your room where you're resting. I also found some ear plugs which you can use to block out the noise of the people in the house and the persistent carollers! Your True Love Nick x
On the Eighth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a hamper of food.
Darling Emie,
I know you are dreading possibly not being able to eat the traditional Christmas food, so I've put together a hamper of chocolate, yogurts, deserts, different flavoured drinking chocolates and milkshakes. I tried to find a range of foods that you can enjoy. There’s also a bottle of sparkling apple to have as a champagne substitute.
Your mum says she's going to spread the Christmas food out, so that you can eat a little bit over several days instead of all at once, the rich food takes so much energy to digest it makes sense, I think I’ll join you! Your True Love Nick x
On the Ninth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a reclining chair, a folding table and chairs, and a special Christmas dinner set.
Dear Emie,
I have bought you this special chair which completely reclines, in case you decide to go downstairs for Christmas. If not the table can go in the corner of your room with the special Christmas tablecloth and plastic tableware so that we can eat part or all of the Christmas day meal with you, no matter what time of the day or night we need to have it. I can't wait to see you! Your True Love Nick x
On the Tenth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a new set of pyjamas.
Dear Emie,
I thought you might like some new PJs to wear this Christmas. I’m sending them early so you can change into them when you feel up to it. I also put in some jewellery in case you can't change; but want to look more dressed up. I know you’ll look beautiful whatever. Your True Love Nick x
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a hat box and a stocking.
Dear Emie,
Here are your presents! I haven’t wrapped them; but I have put them in this hat box from Clinton's (www.clintoncards.co.uk) so you can get one out whenever you feel up to it. There’s also a spare one you can put any presents that arrive in. Your Mum says that she's been taking the presents out of the packaging and undoing the tape, so that you can just pull the presents out very energy-saving! Good job she’s keeping a list of who’s sending what, so you know who to write and thank in January.
I also got you a stocking to hang up; I hope you’ve been good, I guess you’ll have to wait to see what Father Christmas thinks! Your True Love Nick x
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….
Dear Emie,
Today's the day; but don't worry if you’re not up to celebrating. We can spread the celebrations out over as many days, weeks or months as you need. Take it easy and enjoy it as much as possible. I know it's not how you would choose to spend the day; but we’ll all do our best to make it special. I hope you have my present ready (I’m all spent up after twelve days worth of gifts!) All my love, Your True Love Nick x
Dear Emie,
Enclosed is an Advent calendar from Hotel Chocolat (www.hotelchocolat.co.uk) it has yummy chocolate behind each door which I know you find easy to swallow. I have also included a picture calendar in case your food allergies are bad. There is also an advent candle (www.candlesontheweb.co.uk) that you can light and think of me! Your True Love Nick x
On the Second Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a box of card making items including card blanks, envelopes, stickers, ink stamps, sequins, glue and scissors.
Dear Emie,
I thought you might enjoy the enclosed. You can use them to make cards for the special people in your life (hint, hint!). You can do a little bit at a time and get your family to help you. Your True Love Nick x
On the Third Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. a pile of catalogues.
Dearest Emie,
I know you wanted some independence this year to choose your own presents, so I thought that these might find these useful. I Want One Of Those (www.iwoot.co.uk) have lots of gadgets, Thornton’s (www.thorntons.co.uk) do chocolate your Mum would love and Argos (www.argos.co.uk) has lots of unusual items. You can order from the catalogues or get someone to do it online for you. I’ve marked a few pages of things I might like, just in case you are feeling brain fog and need some suggestions! Your True Love Nick x
On the Fourth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. A mini Christmas tree and decorations.
Dear Emie,
Christmas decorations have been in the shops since September and it’s time to bring them into your room! I got this little Christmas tree from a garden centre; but I also saw them in B&Q. The decorations should bring some sparkle to your room and there is a set of lights in case your light sensitivity isn't too bad. Your True Love Nick x
On the Fifth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me…. wrapping paper, crepe paper, ribbons, gift bags, boxes and jiffy padded envelopes.
My Dearest Emie,
I thought you might want to start wrapping up your presents or get your family to help you. There is also some crepe paper and ribbons to use for your SAM friends who can't easily open presents or cope with the ripping paper noise. I even found some pretty gift bags and boxes that don't take any wrapping at all. Your True Love Nick x
On the Sixth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….packs of printed Christmas cards, address labels and name stamps.
Darling Emie,
Time is getting on and with all your pen pals I know you're running out of cards, so I got some personalised, printed cards from Ace (www.24ace.co.uk) to save you writing them. There are also some specially printed labels with Happy Christmas love Emie on them and a name stamp, that you can use on any other cards you have. I’ve also gone through your address book and made address labels to stick on your envelopes and parcels to send off. How’s your post office coping? Your True Love Nick x
On the Seventh Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a tape recorder, notebook, diary, red card, a Do Not Disturb sign and ear plugs.
Dear Emie,
Today’s gift is a visitor survival pack! Everything you need to help get you through the festive season. Use the diary to plan visitors. It goes through to January so you could spread people out over the next couple of months.
I know you are worried about seeing people, they aren't all as understanding as me! Try not to get too stressed about it or worry what you look like, I know you’d prefer to be able to get dressed and wash your hair; but it’s ok really, you look as well as can be expected and there will be years for you to wow them with your beauty!
Try not to let any comments upset you, some people just don’t understand, they aren’t trying to be mean, just think about it as a disability they have – lack of empathy! Just do what you can and if it all gets too much you can always say you’ve had enough.
The red card you can put down when you're too tired to talk to your visitor anymore. Get someone to explain in advance so that when the visitors see it they will know it’s time to go, without you feeling rude.
If you’re not up to seeing the person on the day you can use the tape recorder or notebook to get them to leave you a message which you can look at when you’re feeling a bit better.
There is also a Do Not Disturb sign to put on your door, to stop people barging into your room where you're resting. I also found some ear plugs which you can use to block out the noise of the people in the house and the persistent carollers! Your True Love Nick x
On the Eighth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a hamper of food.
Darling Emie,
I know you are dreading possibly not being able to eat the traditional Christmas food, so I've put together a hamper of chocolate, yogurts, deserts, different flavoured drinking chocolates and milkshakes. I tried to find a range of foods that you can enjoy. There’s also a bottle of sparkling apple to have as a champagne substitute.
Your mum says she's going to spread the Christmas food out, so that you can eat a little bit over several days instead of all at once, the rich food takes so much energy to digest it makes sense, I think I’ll join you! Your True Love Nick x
On the Ninth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a reclining chair, a folding table and chairs, and a special Christmas dinner set.
Dear Emie,
I have bought you this special chair which completely reclines, in case you decide to go downstairs for Christmas. If not the table can go in the corner of your room with the special Christmas tablecloth and plastic tableware so that we can eat part or all of the Christmas day meal with you, no matter what time of the day or night we need to have it. I can't wait to see you! Your True Love Nick x
On the Tenth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a new set of pyjamas.
Dear Emie,
I thought you might like some new PJs to wear this Christmas. I’m sending them early so you can change into them when you feel up to it. I also put in some jewellery in case you can't change; but want to look more dressed up. I know you’ll look beautiful whatever. Your True Love Nick x
On the Eleventh Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….a hat box and a stocking.
Dear Emie,
Here are your presents! I haven’t wrapped them; but I have put them in this hat box from Clinton's (www.clintoncards.co.uk) so you can get one out whenever you feel up to it. There’s also a spare one you can put any presents that arrive in. Your Mum says that she's been taking the presents out of the packaging and undoing the tape, so that you can just pull the presents out very energy-saving! Good job she’s keeping a list of who’s sending what, so you know who to write and thank in January.
I also got you a stocking to hang up; I hope you’ve been good, I guess you’ll have to wait to see what Father Christmas thinks! Your True Love Nick x
On the Twelfth Day of Christmas My True Love Sent to Me….
Dear Emie,
Today's the day; but don't worry if you’re not up to celebrating. We can spread the celebrations out over as many days, weeks or months as you need. Take it easy and enjoy it as much as possible. I know it's not how you would choose to spend the day; but we’ll all do our best to make it special. I hope you have my present ready (I’m all spent up after twelve days worth of gifts!) All my love, Your True Love Nick x
Claire Wade. Studio 17659, PO Box 6945, London, W1A 6US
This site is written by someone who is severely affect with ME and is compiled as a result of personal experience and research of other people with ME and their families. It is intended for information and guidance only. It is not intended to replace medical advice. Readers are strongly urged to consult a professional medical practitioner for a proper diagnosis or assessment before trying any of the treatments or medications outlined. As with all medications, always consult your GP, specialist or pharmacist and tell them about other medications or herbal preparations you are already taking; always read the label and patient information leaflet.
The contributors to this website are not medically trained but all live with or have significant experience of ME. The tips may not be suitable for everyone. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any statement in this work can be accepted by the author.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (photocopying, electronic, recording or otherwise), except for personal or non-commercial use without the permission of the author.
Claire Wade has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
The contributors to this website are not medically trained but all live with or have significant experience of ME. The tips may not be suitable for everyone. No responsibility for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any statement in this work can be accepted by the author.
No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means (photocopying, electronic, recording or otherwise), except for personal or non-commercial use without the permission of the author.
Claire Wade has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.