Despite what you might see online, as a busy mum-of-two, cleaning queen and social media sensation, Sophie Hinchcliffe has had to get used to letting things go during the run-up to Christmas. She says, “The build-up to is so beautiful, but we always just go with the flow. With two young boys, you never know what is going to happen – toys can go flying across the room!”
The star, who is mum to sons, Ronnie, four, and Lennie, two, believes the magic of Christmas is actually found in the little things, like snuggling in your PJs or gifting something from the heart. Discover how she keeps her cool during the festive period.
With a constant flow of visitors and excited children, you have to expect your house to get a little messy – and she recommends embracing it. “Don’t get me wrong, I love cleaning!” Sophie laughs. “But with two young boys, having a spotless house is impossible. And my house is upside down at the minute because you have to find spaces for the Christmas stuff to go.” Instead, she’s vowed to step away from the vacuum for the day. “I’m hoping I can leave it until Boxing Day and then blitz it,” she says.
Scrolling through your socials to see other people’s perfectly decorated trees, ice-skating trips and magical Santa experiences can make you feel as if you’re not having the “perfect” Christmas.
But Sophie reminds us that the magic of the festive period is often found in the smaller moments. She says, “Christmas can be very Instagram-led and I’m actually the opposite. When I see what everyone else is doing, I get a little overwhelmed and worry that I haven’t done enough. But actually, at this time of year, I prefer staying in the house in my PJs, eating all the food and letting the kids play with their toys.” If you’re feeling the same, step away from your phone and try to live in the moment. Snuggling on the sofa watching a cheesy Christmas film is enough.
Christmas can bring with it an influx of new toys, gifts and decorations, which you will need to find homes for, so Sophie always does a pre-Christmas clear out to free up valuable storage space. She says, “I like to get those giant reusable shopping bags, which I will label up for the charity shop, the clothes bank or to give to Mum. If I haven’t used something in 2023, it’s unlikely I’ll use it in 2024, so I can pop it in the right bag and, when that bag is full, I can take it to the right place.”
When everything is getting a bit crazy, you’ll find Sophie spending a bit of downtime with her animals. She has three alpacas, rescue chickens and her beloved cocker spaniel, Henry.
She says, “I’ve always had a huge love for animals and the countryside. My animals are therapy and nothing beats a warm cuddle with your dog, so you can recharge to go again. My boys adore animals, too, especially Ronnie, so looking after them is something we love to do together. We love to be out in the fresh air, getting muddy and jumping in all the puddles.”
Whether you’re struggling with someone difficult to buy for or looking for a unique gift, Mrs Hinch and Not On The High Street have joined forces to launch a curated collection, encouraging customers to gift fewer and gift better, combat gifting anxiety, reduce waste, support small businesses and foster lasting connections during the festive season.
She says, “Both my husband, Jamie, and my parents really love personalised gifts that mean something. I’ve shopped at NOTHS for so long, as it’s a fantastic place to go and find those pieces that are so unique you wouldn’t find them anywhere else, and to celebrate small businesses. I’ve found some beautiful presents on there over the years.” Discover the collection at notonthehighstreet.com.
