Image by Frazerweb

Everyone loves receiving presents from loved ones at this time of year, but I love everything else that goes with the Christmas package too!

Buying gifts– I honestly feel amazing when I’m buying things for other people! I see it as a challenge to myself to prove how well I know my family & friends. Inevitably I start off in a minor panic, thinking I don’t know what to buy, where to look, how much to spend etc, but then slowly, it all comes together nicely! I’ve spent an untold amount on my boyfriend this year (& I’m not sure I want to add it all up!), but he deserves it.

High Street Shopping– I buy a lot of my shopping quite early online (cheater!), but you can’t beat the hustle & bustle of the British high street in December. There are always so many stunt deals that people go MAD for, parking on grass verges, queuing up for hours for, elbowing other shoppers to get close to… Aah, you can’t beat it. It’s a good opportunity for people watching! Plus, the trees are filled with lights & there are neon signs swaying in the wind, all over town, for the ultimate Christmas cheer.

Christmas Lights– I’m not going to lie to you, there’s not a single decoration up in my house yet. Can you believe it? Christmas is less than a week away & there’s not one little sparkle! We’re having new carpet fitted (as I type!) in the front room, so we haven’t put the tree & everything up yet, but I intend to get cracking on that bad-boy asap. It’s not Christmas until you have your lights & tree up! Where am I (& Santa) meant to put all my presents?!

Christmas Parties– Work Christmas parties are always a fantastic affair– some people you barely know, getting together & getting merry & full of turkey (although, actually I had Sea Bass, which was amazing.) Here’s a horrendous picture of me at mine:

Nice, eh?!

Baking– This time last year, I was baking chocolate cake & this year I’ve made fudge & some chocolate truffles, to some success– the fudge is a bit too crumbly for my liking, but I strive to make it softer & better! Mmm mmm. Some kind of Christmas themed cookies / biscuits / cakes are also on the cards to take to the boys parents on the big day, too. Oh & today I’m going to make a chocolate & peanut butter shake, because Gala’s giving me cravings for one!

Honourable mentions– Christmas tv & movies; wrapping presents up with big bows; turkey & beef; a big Christmas breakfast of ham & muffins & scrambled egg; wine; seeing old friends; making New Years Resolutions; breaking New Years Resolutions!; photo opportunities; writing cards & filling envelopes with glitter; roaring fires; turkey left-overs; time off of work; kids singing Christmas Carols at work; the alternative to the Queen’s speech; yuletide Chocolate log (oh, wow); late nights & early mornings; pulling crackers & wearing paper hats; twinkling Christmas songs!

What are your favourite Christmas pastimes?

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