Plan Your Perfect Christmas
What is advent? Why do we have advent calendars at Christmas? This festive tradition has religious origins, but many people who enjoy an advent calendar just enjoy the thrill of opening a new door a day until 25th December. These fun-filled calendars, with a treat behind doors 1 through 25, are an exciting way to celebrate the countdown to Christmas Day each year.
Whether you’re an old hand at organising your family Christmas, or it’s your first year in charge, one thing is for sure. Organising a smooth and joyful Christmas for everyone is a daunting task. There is so much to consider and prepare for, not to mention the financial commitment, which is why I strongly recommend starting early. Of course, your budget and family’s needs will determine how much preparation time you have to work with, but don’t underestimate the benefits of starting early. In this post I’ve collated my best advice for how to plan next Christmas from January!
While some people like the same thing year after year, others prefer to change things up from time to time. In this feature I’m ‘talking turkey’ and helping to answer the question: which meat should you choose for Christmas dinner?
One of the main centrepieces of a modern Christmas is your tree. Do you have one main tree each year, or several through your home & in the garden? Why do we have a decorated tree at Christmas? What’s better, real or artificial Christmas trees? Read on to find out the origins of this heart-warming tradition and my top tips for choosing a Christmas tree which suits your home and family perfectly.
As it gets close to the festive season each year, you may see more and more photos/memes popping up on social media which feature a certain little elf dressed in red complete with a red hat. Elf on a Shelf is a tradition which has slowly grown in popularity in the UK in recent years, after it began in the United States. So, what is Elf on a Shelf all about? How did it start? Should you bother getting involved – and just what are you supposed to do with that elf for 24 days before the blissful arrival of Christmas Day?
A fairly new tradition in the UK (if there can be such a thing) is the rise of the Christmas Eve Box. Celebrating children across the nation – and world – are obviously impatient for the arrival of Father Christmas, and a box of smaller gifts can help sate some of that excitement while keeping their anticipation levels for the next morning high. It’s no surprise then that many out there wonder: what should I put in a Christmas Eve box?
In the yearly battle for the best bargains and money-saving offers come Christmastime, it’s likely you’ve heard of Black Friday & Cyber Monday. What are they all about? And, importantly: are they worth the hassle?
Times were that sending Christmas cards was a major part of the annual festive preparations. Choosing a box or two of seasonal greeting cards, writing your Christmas card list – or maybe consulting your pre-written yearly one – and settling down for an afternoon’s card writing. Addressing the envelopes and spending a small fortune on stamps before heading out to plop the bundle into the nearest post box, smug and satisfied in the knowledge that the epic task was complete for another year.
We all look forward to watching the fabulous schedule of Christmas telly when the season rolls around each year. I must say that I think we’re particularly lucky here in the UK with the yearly efforts of the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Sky and more when it comes to comedy, drama, live shows and other …
Christmas is traditionally a time when people enjoy a cheeky tipple, whether with friends at the bar, at the office Christmas party or while watching some festive telly at home. When it comes to stocking your Christmas drinks cabinet in preperation for the season, you might be wondering where to start. I’ve put together this list of booze & mixers to stock up on, so you can ensure it’s a very merry Christmas indeed for your family and friends.
