Merry & Bright — Thank You, Light Shows and Christmas at McIntosh
Christmas has a way of sharpening our senses — the light feels warmer, memories sit closer to the surface, and gratitude finds its voice a little more easily. This week at McIntosh, that feeling has been very much front and centre.
Before anything else, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you. Over the past few days we’ve received scores of emails — congratulating Dr T, sharing your own stories, and sending such kindness our way. Every message has been read. We’re working carefully through replying to each one, and if you haven’t heard back just yet, please know you absolutely will. We truly love hearing your stories; they are the quiet thread that connects this whole community together.
On Sunday evening we escaped on a proper magical mystery tour with friends, who whisked us off to RHS Wisley for their Christmas light show. It was, quite simply, breathtaking. Twinkling tunnels of light, glowing trees, and that gentle hush that settles when everyone collectively pauses to take it all in. One of those moments where time slows, shoulders drop, and you remember how powerful a little wonder can be.
Back at home, the festive rhythm continues. Dr T’s new passport has already arrived (astonishing efficiency), there’s been a Christmas carol singalong in our street, wafts of mulled wine drifting through the air, and — reassuringly — still time for Santa McI (aka me) to pop those last parcels in the post so they arrive in time for Christmas.
At McIntosh, there are now over 44,000 carefully curated items, each chosen with intention, tested by hand, and packed from Peckham (the posh part). From trusted tools and yarns by KnitPro, Lantern Moon, Addi and Seeknit, to colour-loving favourites from Schoppel, LANGYARNS and WOOLADDICTS by LANG, plus the joy of Symfonie Yarns, Opal, Eucalan, Clover — everything here has a story, and a reason for being.
This week also saw a flurry of new Schoppel blogs go live in my Hoop section — perfect reading if you love colour, clever yarn engineering, and a bit of woolly storytelling. Alongside that, Dr T has been busy supporting resident doctors during the strike, and we even managed a proper night out — dancing, laughing, and catching up with friends from our party days. Merry and bright in every possible sense.
As the final days before Christmas rush past, it also feels like a moment to pause and reflect. Things don’t always stay the same as the years roll on, but love, shared moments, and treasured memories endure. For us, that’s the true magic of this season — the things we carry forward, quietly and faithfully, like stitches in a well-loved piece of knitting.
Thank you for being part of our world. Thank you for your kindness, your stories, your support, and for choosing to shop small and mindfully. Wherever and however you’re celebrating, we hope your days are filled with warmth, laughter, love — and perhaps a little time to sit quietly with your knitting.
From our home to yours, we wish you a truly wonderful and happy Christmas. 🎄✨
With all our love and best wishes,
James & Dr T
