A Very Potter Christmas!

Despite my rantings for the last few months that there was absolutely NOTHING that I wanted or needed for Christmas (except perhaps for child #3 and #4 to be angelic for a complete 24-hour period and do their chores without nine-zillion daily reminders … ), Mackdaddy Mike went above and beyond this holiday season. Not only did he find me things I absolutely LOVE, I can’t seem to put them down!

Yes, I am a self-confessed Potter junkie, and I have been since my first (indeed, I did say first) read of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone back in 1998 in a past life as a Principal in Vermont (thank you Beth for the introduction to the books). Every time ABC Family does their “Harry Potter Weekend” marathon event, I watch it as much as possible, as if I have never seen them before (which drives Em (child # 1) up a wall). During my Principal days, when students asked me what I wanted to do when I grew up, I would tell them “a Headmaster at Hogwarts, of course!”

So, without further ado, my Very Potter Christmas:

1. A Diploma from Hogwarts – yes, you read that right … I am now officially a graduate of Hogwarts, ready for any rewarding adventure that may come my way! Mackdaddy had it framed and ready to hang with my other diplomas. I have already taken it to my day job office and I am searching for the perfect place to hang it!

With my wand and broom in hand – I am ready for anything!

2. A Wand (universal remote control). I had seen one of these at a local bookstore a while back and thought it was awesome. And now I have my very own! Programming it was a bit tricky, by MP (aka

Yup – that is my Grinch

child # 3, AKA resident Grinch) was able to get it working for my in no time flat (perhaps he will get his Hogwarts letter soon …).  🙂  Wingardium leviosa!

3. I think my favorite of all three was the Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. The author, Dinah Bucholz, did a fantastic job pulling the recipes together and tying them to the books. Each recipe even includes a side bar on the history of the dish. From Treacle Tart to Pumpkin Juice to Pasties – you will find them all here!

One of the recipe pages from the cookbook.

Each recipe starts with a brief paragraph explaining where they are tied to the texts.

… the history blurb …

We have already tried making one of the Irish Stew recipes, and it was awesome! The boys and I looking forward to trying some of the treats from Diagon Alley (Chapter Three)!

In the [modified] words of Albus Dumbledore, “One can never have enough Potter paraphernalia [actual quote said socks].”

What were your favorite/most unexpected gifts this Christmas season?