THE CHRISTMAS TAG

Wednesday 10 December 2014

It's December! Christmas is on it's way! Had you noticed?!

It is on this basis that I am now finally settling down to do 'The Christmas Tag', as seen over on Rosalyn's blog. I told her right at the start of the month that I was excited to do this post after reading hers but it's taken me right up until the 10th to get around to it. How is it the 10th already??

So without further ado...


WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MOVIE?

Love Actually and The Holiday! Miracle on 34th Street was probably my favourite before the other two came on the scene, and Elf always makes me smile. I watched It's a Wonderful Life once and whilst I can't remember too much of it now, I remember being really moved by it and loved it at the time. I must remember to watch it again soon.

DO YOU OPEN PRESENTS ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR CHRISTMAS MORNING?

Christmas morning, for sure. Growing up, I was always the first awake and would excitedly wake up my whole family and we would open our stockings sitting on mum and dad's bed, usually accompanied by a tin of shortbread. Then we would move downstairs for the main event..the presents we had been eyeing up under the tree for the past month! Now, at the slightly more mature age of 27, I would probably have to be woken up by somebody else and slightly reluctant to leave my bed. The temptation of sausages wrapped in bacon as a present opening snack would always have me leaping out of bed for though! When I was living back at home, I would help my mum to wrap the sausages in bacon whilst we waited for my brother and his wife to come over with the dogs, and then we would all open our presents together. Unfortunately I am spending Christmas in the desert for the second year running this year. My mum kindly sent me over a couple of presents so that I would have something to open on the day, and these are sitting under my tree just waiting to be unwrapped!

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS MEMORY?

Not one in particular - I just love Christmas at home and my mum always goes all out to make it really special and enjoyable for everybody, from beautifully decorating the house, to cooking the most amazing Christmas dinner, to putting little presents in personalised Christmas crackers and organising fun games for the dinner table. The year before last was a particularly great Christmas as we had the cousins round and they are amazing fun. Excuse the grainy iPhone snap but this was taken two Christmases ago. My mum insists on us making cocktails on the day so by this point we were probably all a bit merry! She had bought us all these ridiculous festive glasses which we wore throughout dinner. We also each had a celebrity mask and had to guess who was who around the dinner table. And then there was the reindeer racing game...such a fun Christmas!


WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS FOOD?

Sausages in bacon! Or pigs in blankets, whatever you like to call them. Without a doubt! There is always such amazing food in the house at Christmas. We have these in the morning whilst we open presents, but also have them with lunch too. Then there is the roast dinner itself which is always epic, followed by an abundance of Christmassy puddings, and then crowned off by the cheese board! Normally by that point I'm so full, so I start dipping into the cheese board a little later when others may have drifted off for a nap...! Strangely I'm not that keen on traditional Christmas food, like turkey, mince pies or Christmas pudding. Give me sausages in bacon and a chocolate log any day though!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS GIFT?

My favourite Christmas gift has got to be the gift of having my family around me at 'the most wonderful time of the year'! Cheeeeeesy. Seriously though, it's true. I couldn't possibly name one material gift that has stood out above the rest, my family and friends are always so thoughtful and generous with their gift giving, and i've had some amazing presents over the years. Spoilt girl.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS SCENT?

That traditional Christmas candle smell - cinnamon spice or whatever it's called. It just epitomises Christmas for me. Last year we bought a cinnamon spice candle and a pine candle and our apartment in Doha smelt amazing and very festive!


DO YOU HAVE ANY CHRISTMAS EVE TRADITIONS?

Not particularly. A few times in recent years I've been to the pub with friends but it's not really for me. I'd happily stay in curled up on the sofa with the box of Celebrations (naturally eating all of the Malteaser ones), a cup of tea or glass of Asti, watching festive television, in my Marks and Spencers winter socks like the granny I have become.



WHAT TOPS YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE?

This year, it is a simple glittery silver star with the tail end of the Christmas lights hooked through the middle to light it up.

AS A KID, WHAT DID YOU ALWAYS ASK FOR BUT NEVER RECEIVE?

To be honest, I never asked for anything unrealistic to my knowledge (mum and dad, correct me if I'm wrong?!) and every year I would always receive at least one thing from my Christmas list. This year I have a pug puppy on the Christmas list which I certainly won't be receiving! I'll just have to make do with this little cutie.


Best Christmas card ever?! I think so. Thanks mum & dad!

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF CHRISTMAS, FOR YOU?

Family time, without a doubt. It all just feels extra special and magical. I'm not sure you ever really grow out of Christmas...

I am so gutted to not be going home for Christmas again this year, but I am lucky in that I have Matt here so I get to spend the day with him. Bring on the festive brunch!

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