Hello all! Sorry it's been such a desert over here recently, I don't want to fill this post with excuses but basically, sixth form is hard. Anyways, now I have the Christmas holidays to flood you all with blog posts and videos instead so look out for those!
I was reading my friend Molly's blog (http://yearofthediaryx.blogspot.co.uk) and she did a post all about her top five favourite Christmas films and I thought I'd do something similar but with my top thirteen things for Christmas in general instead.
1. Christmas Trees
My Christmas tree goes up the first Sunday of December every year (which just so happened to be the 1st this year!) but since I work on Sundays now, it meant I missed out on decorating it. Which is actually quite fortunate, as it usually means fighting with my little sisters over where everything goes... Coming home to a pretty, lit-up tree is much more stressful! My family also decided to decorate our piano this year, which was a really cute touch.
2. Buying Presents
This year, I was super organised and had all my Christmas shopping done by November 31st - I know, I couldn't believe it either! I ordered everything online instead of actually going into shops, which is less fun but also less stressful, and it meant that I had a wider range of choices so I could get the perfect gift for everyone.
3. Wrapping Presents
I posted a video yesterday which will explain why, but I really struggled when it came to wrapping this year because I only had one capable arm! But I did manage to do it all in one night and I just find the whole process so therapeutic. However, I'm not one of those people to cover everything in ribbons and bows because frankly, time and effort and I'm terrible when it comes to anything creative....
4. Christmas Songs
The first Christmas song I listen to each year is 30 Days by NeverShoutNever because I always listen to it when it is thirty days before Christmas (obviously) and I think that's a good time to start getting excited about it. A few of my other favourite Christmas songs include Fairytale of New York by The Pogues, Baby It's Cold Outside but the version by the Glee Cast and Pennies From Heaven by Louis Prima (which I'm not sure is strictly a Christmas song but it always reminds me of Elf)
Oh, and the whole of Michael Bublé's Christmas album. Duh.
5. Santa's Sleigh
I've never heard of anywhere else doing this, but where I live, every year since before my dad was a kid during December, Santa's sleigh comes around all of the estates in my town blasting out Christmas Carols and people collecting money for charities. It's always been my favourite night of the year when it comes to my house but also, my dad works away a lot so he tends to miss it so we've set up a tradition that we drive around with our windows open, trying to listen out for Santa. It's such a lovely way to spend the evening!
6. Colouring
I'm not sure if this is just because of the fact that there's still little kids in my family or what, but December becomes the month of crafts in my house. We don't do anything spectacular, but be sure to expect to be overwhelmed with the sight of paper chains if you ever enter our house around this time. The main thing we do, however, is colouring. This year, my mum even bought a 'colour-in tablecloth' which she has no intention of actually using as a tablecloth, but she's left it on our dining room table for the past week or so and we just colour in the festive pictures whenever we want. Another thing that I actually bought for myself was a colour-in advent calendar, which is making me the envy of my whole family. Mwahah.
7. Christmas Movies
I'm under the strong impression that if you don't hold Christmas films fondly in your heart, you don't have one. They're impossible not to love. Personal favourites of mine include Elf, Miracle on 34th Street (1994 version) and The Santa Clause for the children's films and Love Actually and The Holiday if you're looking for something a bit more grown up! I'm not sure where it would fit but Nativity! is another one of my favourites if you're looking for a bit of both.
8. Vlogmas
Something which is new for me this year is keeping up with everyone's vlogmas videos. I wasn't really interested in them or vlogs in general last year but this year, I'm loving them! My favourites have been Jim/Tanya, MeghanRosette and BeyondBeautyStar's. It's so nice to get a glimpse into how other people prepare for the holidays and really boosts my festive feeling.
9. Beauty Products
There's something so magical about the make up and nail polish that gets used at Christmas. Everything is sparkly and berry coloured and beautiful. Plus, the odds are you'll get some new products for Christmas so it's all brand new and you're scared to ruin it so it's treated like a little angel child. Something about it all makes me so happy!
10. Food
As someone who woke up at 5:15am this morning in order to go food shopping with my mum when the shop opened at 6am, it's safe to say food is pretty important to me. We always have a crazy buffet on Boxing Day but because the shops are closed still we have to buy it all beforehand, along with all the Christmas Day food etc. Foods that absolutely scream Christmas to me are parsnips, pigs in blankets, Vienetta ice cream and satsumas. Oh and Pringles. I don't like Mince Pies or Christmas Cake/Pudding because I don't like dried fruit, but apart from that, I don't think I ever stop eating throughout this whole month.
11. Candles
My all-time favourite (and sadly discontinued!) Christmas candle is Red Berry and Cedar from Yankee Candle. It's not too spicy, not too sweet - you get the smell of berries and of woods all in one go. I recently finished my second large jar of it and had to order myself a third before they all get sold and no more get made. Excuse me while I go cry, I'm far too emotionally attached to that scent.
12. Pyjamas
The only time of year I ever bother to wear matching pyjamas is at Christmas. In fact, I think at least 80% of my pyjama drawer is made up of Christmas pyjamas (most of which have reindeers on) because they're just so warm and cosy. If I'm honest, I wear them all year round! I just don't bother to take them off now because as we've been released from school, I'm not risking leaving the house in the chilly weather and instead stay in bed in pyjamas all day. Whoops!
13. Presents
Let's be honest here, we all like presents. I would be lying if I did this list and didn't include presents. I love the thrill of trying to get clues from your parents of what they've got you. We have a little Christmas tree upstairs where we each have one Christmas Eve present and this year, all of our presents are exactly the same so that's making the suspense even worse! Unwrapping stocking presents on my parents' bed and getting the same selection box and chocolate orange each year - I just love it all!
Aaaand we're done! Thank you for reading and let me know in the comments what your favourite things about Christmas are! :)
