With everything from sentimental decorations and timeless traditions to festive bedding and matching pyjamas, our 2024 cohort are making the most of their first Christmas in a new home.
Christmas 2024 is going to be one to remember for two young couples, Shannon and Nathan, and Rachel and Valentine. Like many of our buyers, they’ll be spending their very first Christmas in a brand new Countryside home and we’ve been lucky enough to catch up with them to find out how they’re celebrating.
First home, first Christmas
First time buyers, Shannon and Nathan, beat the odds when they moved into their new home at Calico Grove in Rochdale this summer at the age of 26.
Now set up and settled, they’re looking forward to their first Christmas together at home.
“We’ve just been on holiday to New York and couldn’t wait to put the decorations we bought up when we got back,” said Shannon. “We lived in a flat previously, so we’ve gone slightly overboard filling all the extra space.
“Our home is The Lea house type, so we’ve got the Christmas tree in a corner of the living room and it feels really cosy. It’s decorated with a mix of special baubles - ones we’ve inherited from family and ones we’ve got together - as well as a new one we bought in New York as a memory for 2024.
“We’re looking at wreaths for the front door and we’ve even decorated upstairs with bits of tinsel. Plus the guest room has special Christmas bedding for when family comes to stay.
“My auntie is staying with us over Christmas, so we’re going to take her to Manchester Markets. Another one of my favourite things to do at this time of year is get in the car and look at all the Christmas lights on people’s houses - so I’m looking forward to that too.”
First as a family of three
Also spending their first Christmas in a brand new home, Rachel and Valentine moved into Millbank Lock in Partington in June - and just one week later, they welcomed their baby daughter Clementine into the world.
Rachel told us: “We are beyond excited to be spending our first Christmas in our new home as a family of three - and we’ve pulled out all the stops.
“We couldn’t wait to start the celebrations, so our decorations went up in November. It was quite emotional mixing our old baubles with new ones for Clementine - I may have shed a tear! I can’t help but feel proud of all we’ve achieved this year.
“It’s so cosy in the house with the tree up and we’ve got matching pyjamas and Christmas Eve boxes still to come. We’re honouring some family traditions too by baking a Christmas pudding, which Clem has stirred - and we’re taking her to the local light switch on.
“One of the reasons we chose Millbank Lock is because it was close to my parents house and we’ll be hosting them on Christmas Day. I’ve already ordered the turkey and can’t wait to cook it all in my new oven.
“It’s going to be such a special day - our daughter and new home really have made 2024 the best year ever.”
