1 Wrapping presents
Wrapping presents might be some people's idea of hell but I love it, if anyone ever needs something wrapped in my house chances are I will be the one to do it. One Christmas a few years ago I manage to wrap over 60 presents! I always start my wrapping in the first few weeks of December and if I'm well enough I will offer to help anyone else. If I didn't do this I'm sure my family would find themselves frantically wrapping up on Christmas Eve.
2 Choosing the tree
It's
long been a family tradition to go and pick a tree, we sometimes take
our time and look at five to ten trees, usually picking the first or second one we looked at in the first place for some reason. Sometimes we argue over two trees, getting
a member of the garden centre's staff to hold it while we walk around and scrutinise it.
It's a very serious (and fun) business! The smell is incredible and to me
it's the best Christmas smell going.
3 Advent
A
tradition that no one is too old for. Growing up I wasn't allowed a
chocolate Advent calendar, instead I had a card one with pictures behind
the doors. I loved them even without the tasty treat but I am excited
for this year's Lindt Advent calendar which contains different Lindt treats
leading up to the super cute bear poking his head out of the 24th
window. I think this is my favourite calendar I've seen by Lindt.
Christmas and food go hand in hand. Calories simply don't count over the festive period. Everyone cheerfully using the excuse to have another bite of something tasty always makes me smile. This is the only time of year that I can open the fridge to see it full and I always make the most of it! Anything goes for breakfast on Christmas morning but I always start with chocolate.
5 Making Christmas Cake
Christmas cake baking really signifies the start of the festive season in my house. The smell is incredible and so warming on a chilly day. Plus I like to do my bit and help clean the bowl (insert winking emoji here)!
6 Christmas Eve
The day before Christmas is for me a rest day, a day to try and gain energy for the big day. This suits me fine as I find something magical about taking it easy on Christmas Eve. Maybe it's knowing that people are out frantically trying to get last minute presents while I'm cosy at home - or maybe it's the memory of excitement from my childhood. My favourite part of Christmas Eve is sitting down with my mum to watch Beatrix Potter's The Tailor Of Gloucester in the afternoon with a cup of tea and some chocolates or a mince pie.
7 Christmas Chocolate
It might not be normal for a twenty five year old to get so excited by Christmas chocolate but I really do and I just can't help it. You can't beat getting the first rummage in the Quality Street for the green triangles! I also love Lindt's festive characters, it's not really Christmas without a Lindt Father Christmas or reindeer. Oh, and I almost forgot, gold coins!
8 Christmas Dress
Another tradition has always been to have a special dress to wear for Christmas Day. Even though it's a day spent with family at home it's a day we put our best on for. I think it makes the day even more special. I start thinking about this outfit a few months in advance and this year I've chosen a skater dress by Virgos Lounge. It's a rich mustard yellow with lots of beading. Hopefully, if I'm well enough, I'll do a Christmas outfit post featuring my dress but if you follow me on Instagram you will have had a peek at it yesterday!
Just like a child I love to poke and shake the presents under the tree. Something I used to get told off for a lot. These days I use the excuse of arranging the presents artistically for an opportunity to guess, which I've got pretty good at!
Presents and food aside, I think it's nice to do something kind for someone else, maybe a stranger or someone I might never meet. For the last few years I've been taking part in Operation Christmas Child (here) which is set up by Samaritan's Purse so that children in poverty all over the world will receive a shoe box filled with toys, stationary and personal care items for Christmas. I love this concept and picking out items for my box is always fun. I sadly missed the deadline for making my own box this year but there's still time to make a box online through the website.
Happy count down!
Emma Xx
Emma Xx
Lindt Chocolate c/o Lindt uk - shop (here)
Star lights & trees - John Lewis (here)
I'm feeling really festive alresdy the & may have already wrapped a presents or 2!! Your Christmas sounds lovely :)
ReplyDeleteAli xx
http://beingamummywithme.blogspot.co.uk
Me too Ali, I think we are putting our tree up later too! It is pretty lovely, and everyone seems to have a great time too even if they moan about it before!
DeleteEmma Xx
The festive spirit has been a bit slow to arrive in my life. However, this post has definitely brought some warmth. :)
ReplyDeleteVegetarian Courtesy ♥ CheesePapas
I'm glad this has helped you to feel a little more festive Adi!
DeleteEmma Xx
agree with everything, i can't wait to start opening my advent calendar!
ReplyDeletedanielle | avec danielle
Thanks Danielle! Ah I'm loving my advent calendar!
DeleteEmma Xx
I have also been doing Operation Christmas Child for many years and it has become a tradition of sorts for me and I always look forward to it. Loved this post, it really helped to put me more in a festive mood!
ReplyDeleteRebecca x
www.sunnyrebecca.com
It's lovely to hear you enjoy making a gift for Operation Christmas Child too Rebecca. It's a fantastic tradition I think. I hope you had fun making your box this year!
DeleteEmma Xx
I'm genuinely so excited reading through this post haha, I love this time of year! The beginning of advent calendars tomorrow marks an exciting time and I'm looking forward to reading posts and seeding photos of people's opened calendars! :)
ReplyDeleteGabrielle | A Glass Of Ice
x
I'm happy to read that Gabrielle! I'm so excited for christmas! I hope you've been enjoying your advent calendar!
DeleteEmma Xx
You've got me feeling all festive! I can't wait to get opening the first door on the advent calendar tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteSorcha x Bright Field Notes
I'm happy to read this has made you feel festive Sorcha! I hope you've been enjoying your advent calendar as much as me!
DeleteEmma Xx
I can't wait for Christmas! -Hanna Lei
ReplyDeleteLatest Post: My NFL Fan Style
Me too Hanna Lei! I hope you have a lovely Christmas!
DeleteEmma Xx
Aww yours and my Christmas sound very similar... I LOVE getting dressed up on Christmas Day and totally agree that calories do not count. Where we differ is that I'm one of the crazy people running about like a loon on Christmas Eve trying to get everything done - Boxing Day is my day of rest!
ReplyDeleteLaura xx | Loved By Laura