What's on my Christmas Wishlist?

I remember being a child and going through every single page of the Argos catalogue to write my Christmas list, and having a list multiple pages long full of random bits and pieces. Does anyone remember the Fur Real Friends things? I so badly wanted the Butterscotch pony, but alas, Santa never delivered.

As I've grown older and realised the true meaning behind Christmas, and how expensive things can be, my wishlists have definitely changed. I buy a lot more for others than I ask for myself, and now that I earn my own money, I often just buy the things I need/want when I get paid. Writing a list this year was actually quite difficult, as I couldn't think of anything I really wanted, just some small bits and pieces that would be nice to have. Like I said, realising how expensive Christmas can be has also made me limit my list - things like a new laptop or a camera are things that I'm going to have to buy for myself.

Of course I have my little list for my family to refer to if they're stuck, featuring things like a chopstick curling iron, Archie Comics volume 6 (I have volumes 1-5) and some makeup. But there's a lot of things I neglected to put on my list, and instead are going to be a list of 2019 purchases that I want to make myself, but I'll probably do a separate post for that.

This year, I want 3 things.

More than anything, I just want to have a nice day. This year has been an emotional rollercoaster. There have been times where I've cried harder and my heart hurt more than I thought possible, and it's been tough. I quite simply want to end a rubbish year on a high note. I want to eat too much food, drink a lot and get very merry, play lots of silly games with my family, and r e l a x. Christmas is such an important time for me, so of course I always want it to be the best day, but this year more than ever.

Another Christmas wish of mine is to have more balance next year. 2018 was filled with a lot of negative experiences for me, and I wish there were more positives to balance it out so that it didn't feel like such a rubbish time. I'm not going to ask for the best year ever in 2019, just one that has as much good, or more good, than bad.

I also want my mum to have a stress-free Christmas this year. Money has been tight, and she's feeling the pressure. I want to be able to alleviate that as much as possible - mainly by spoiling her and also buying the meat and cheeses for Christmas day. Christmas dinner adds up to a pretty penny, so I'm really glad I was able to buy some joints of meat and lots of nibbles for the family. I really do hope she has a wonderful day this year. 

I know this may not be the most conventional wishlist, and I'm sorry if you were expecting something different, but Christmas is so much more than the gifts you receive. It's about being with the people you love and being happy and thankful for what you have in your life. 

What's your Christmas wish this year?

I hope you enjoyed reading, and I'll see you tomorrow for the final day of Blogmas!

Ciao for now, 

Katie x

The Christmas Tag

So for Blogmas Day 10, I thought I would do the Christmas Tag. I was actually planning to do this later in the month, but after deciding to finish Blogmas after 12 days, due to my new job taking up a lot of time, I decided to do it today instead. I was tagged by Hannah Mary (who is an absolute gem and sweetheart by the way, definitely go and check her out) and I really love the questions that I get to answer. 

If you want to check out Mary's answers, her blog post is here!

The rules for the Christmas Tag are as follows:

1. Thank the blogger that tagged you and link their blog to your post
2. List the ruled in the post
3. Answer all the questions asked by the blogger
4. Nominate some other bloggers and provide them with 12 questions!

I'm a big fan of Christmas quizzes, games, tags, photo challenges etc, so I was super excited to be tagged by Han.

Here we go...

What's your favourite thing about Christmas?

It's so hard to just pick one thing, but it would probably just have to be the atmosphere. It's what makes the day feel so special and festive, how people react and treat each other, parties and quiet days - it just makes everything! I also really love getting gifts for people, and have gone to town this year. I love spoiling my friends any family so much, and of course it's always wonderful to receive gifts, but I just love getting something for somebody I know that they'll absolutely love. It's the nicest feeling.

What's the worst present you've ever received?

Ooh this is a toughie, I've really had to think about this. I'm usually pretty grateful for everything I get, but I suppose some things are a lot more exciting than others. I remember I've received clothes that I absolutely hated, but generally I'm very easy to buy for.

What meat do you have with your Christmas dinner?

We always have turkey because it's traditional, and we often have gammon on boxing day. This year we've got a turkey and a joint of pork for Christmas day. I wanted to go all out with the food and presents this Christmas, as the rest of the year has been kind of awful, and I wanted to end it feeling spoilt, fat, and very satisfied! You should see the amount of cheese we have...

If you could only watch one Christmas film for the rest of your life, which would it be?

Even though in my Top 10, I said the Grinch was my favourite, if it could only be one, it would have to be Love Actually. I could watch that film a million times over and still love every bit of it.

When do you open your presents on Christmas day? (i.e. as soon as you wake up, after your lunch/dinner etc)

When we lived with my dad, we would open our presents after everybody was washed, dressed, breakfasted, and the dog had been walked. Usually around 11am. We all moved in with my mum a few years ago but as she worked night shifts at the time, we all got up early to do presents with her when she got home, before she went to have a sleep for a while. Last year we weren't all together until about 11pm, and we actually loved doing presents by the fire, after the sun had gone down. It was so lovely and the tree looked beautiful. We all have Christmas day off this year, and we're going to do presents after sundown again, just because we loved it so much last year.

Chocolate or cheese?

Definitely used to be chocolate, but now that I'm getting older, I am liking cheese more... Can I have both?

What is your most underrated Christmas song?

A Spaceman Came Travelling by Chris De Burgh! I absolutely love that song, it's such a wonderful melody and reminds me of Christmasses when I was young.

What is your go-to Christmas dessert?

Do I have to pick just one? I'm not overly keen on Christmas pudding or Christmas cake, so I tend to dive right in with chocolate trifles, ice cream, random nibbles, and snacks that we have. Everything I could possibly fit into my stomach after Christmas dinner, basically.

What would your ultimate dream Christmas entail?

Probably just a Christmas where none of us had to worry about money, so we could actually get some nice decorations, spoil each other, and get loads of food and alcohol. 

Do you have a Christmas Day routine or do you just go with the flow? 

We definitely had a routine when we were younger and lived with my dad! We'd all get up, get washed and dressed, and walk the dog around the park while Dad made a hell of a fry up for breakfast. We'd all sit down to eat, clear up all the dishes, and then go and sit in the living room for presents. We never dived in, Dad would pick one present and read the label out loud, and then hand it over to the recipient, and then we all watched them open it. That way we actually get to see people's reactions to their presents, and are able to thank the person gifting. Then we'd scatter off and do whatever for a while, play with presents and watch tv for example, while Dad prepped the dinner for about 6pm. Lastly, we'd all sit and watch the Christmas special of Doctor Who, and just enjoy a lazy evening of nibbles and getting a bit merry. This year with mum, we've decided to get loads of fun board games to play during the day so that we can actually spend time together, and I'm so excited.

Have you ever had a white Christmas?

I honestly can't remember. I don't remember it ever actually snowing on Christmas day, but I'm pretty sure there has been snow on the ground. I'm not betting on it this year, but you never know! 

Are you a brussel lover or a brussel hater? 

I always have brussel sprouts with my Christmas dinner, but that's the only time I eat them. And they have to be smothered in gravy or it is basically just a fart ball. 

So that's my answers for the Christmas Tag! As per the rules, I'm tagging Ruby, Emily, Brenna, Mary, and Molly to answer my questions (listed below) via a blog post, twitter thread, or whatever they like!

1. If you could only have 3 things in your Christmas dinner, what would they be?
2. Are you always prepared or do you leave your shopping last minute?
3. What do you want for Christmas this year?
4. Who do you usually spend Christmas day with?
5. Do you eat your Christmas dinner at lunchtime or dinnertime?
6. What's the best gift you ever recieved?
7. What's one of your 'unpopular opinions' regarding Christmas?
8. What's your favourite Christmas chocolate selection box (i.e. celebrations, roses etc), and what's your favourite individual choc from that selection?
9. What's your favourite and least favourite thing about Christmas/the festive period?
10. Do you have a set routine on Christmas day?
11. Tag a photo of your Christmas tree! Do you like it the way it is, or would you prefer a different theme?
12. Have you ever been kissed under mistletoe?

Have fun answering the questions, and take part even if you haven't been tagged! I'd love to see your answers.

Ciao for now, 

Katie x

How To Make A Simple Wreath

For Blogmas Day 8, I decided to have a go at creating a wreath, but since it's my first time ever making one, I decided to cheat just a little bit.

In Wilkinson's, I found a lovely undecorated, and rather small wreath, along with loads of wonderful little artificial holly leaves, berries, pinecones, bells, and loads of little ornaments to decorate it with. 

You can make so many gorgeous wreaths with foliage that you cut yourself, or from the florist, but I didn't want to go all out of my first every wreath making experience, just in case I severely f*cked up. I actually really like how it's turned out, as it's not overly decorated, and you can still see a little bit of the wreath behind. I think it looks rather rustic. 

To make a simple artificial wreath you will need:

• A wreath hoop
• String or twine to hang it, if it doesn't have a bit already attached
• Foliage (real or artificial)
• Twine or wire to attach the decorations
• Whatever you want to decorate it with, such as dried oranges, pinecones and conkers, flowers, battery powered fairy lights, etc.

As you can see, for my wreath, I've used artificial holly, berries, mini apples, cinnamon sticks, silver bells, and dried orange slices. I accidentally left my oranges a little too long, so they did burn slightly, but I really like the dark purple colour that they've turned.

Tie your string or twine around the wreath to create a hoop to hang it up with. Then, quite simply, have at it! Spend time arranging and rearranging your foliage and your larger decorations until you get your perfect wreath base! Wrap your fairy lights (if you're using them) around your foliage and secure tightly with your twine or wire. Then attach your smaller decorations the way you want them, et voila, a simple homemade wreath! 

A wreath is a work of art, so don't worry about doing it wrong. However you do it, it will be perfect, because it will be yours. 

Tag me in your homemade wreaths on twitter (@_katiestone) or Instagram (@katieemmastone), I would love to see how you've made them your own. 

Merry Blogmas Day 8, and I'll see you tomorrow!

Ciao for now, 

Katie x

How To Avoid The Winter Slump

It's so easy to feel blue during the winter months, and it's such a shame at such a magical time of year. A lot of people suffer with seasonal depression, and the lack of sunlight and vitamin D can vastly affect your mood, too. We get stressed over money, it's raining all the time, and it's too damn cold. So, for Blogmas Day 7, I thought I'd share my tips on how I avoid the winter slump.

Keep yourself busy

I find myself more often than not wanting to just stay indoors and watch Christmas films all day. Although this is super lovely sometimes, too much can make you feel like a bit of a recluse, and you have to try and get outside. Have a look online and find some local Christmas markets, take part in carol services and relax while you're doing your shopping. Nobody likes to rush to buy presents, so make sure you've left yourself a few days over the course of the Christmas season to go out and have a proper look, and maybe even stop for tea and cake. Dress up warm and go for winter walks, head down to your local for a G&T and a Christmas catch up with your bestie, or plan a delicious lunch at your favourite restaurant. There's so many wonderful ways to make the most of the winter season.

Eat healthy

You're standing in the middle of the supermarket. There are boxes of chocolates, cheese wheels, pretzel sticks, and every delicious snack under the sun all around you. You buy anything and everything you can possibly fit in your trolley, and scoff your face when you get home.

It is so tempting to break your healthy eating habits, just because it's Christmas. But you have to remember to have your favourite things in moderation. Eating chocolate for breakfast will make you feel sluggish and unenergetic for the rest of the day, so make sure you're keeping up with your fruits and veggies! Put a warming twist on it by making lots of healthy stews and casseroles, or using crudites instead of bread for dipping into your camembert. 

Take essential breaks

Although it is very important to get out during the winter for fresh air and some sunlight, you have to dedicate some time for yourself too. We can all get a little too busy in the festive season and forget to take care of ourselves. Grab your favourite book, some cosy socks, and the cheesiest film you can find, have a spa evening and pamper yourself in the bath, or just get an early night every now and again. You'll feel so much better, and a lot less stressed.

Do good, feel good

Christmas and winter can be a very stressful, and sometimes very hard time for a lot of people. Some people have bad memories and experiences around this time of year, some people are very lonely. Everybody has their own struggles, and it's really important to be aware of that around this time of year. Why not dedicate a day to volunteering at a local shelter, or visiting an old persons home for some games and a chat with those who don't have any family around. They will be so appreciative, and that in turn will make you feel good. 

Make time for the people you love

I think everybody has a weird uncle, a grumpy grandma, the auntie that smells a little weird, some member of the family that you're not overly excited to see, and sometimes they can put a real downer on your day. Make sure you have somebody to look forward to seeing, like your best friend or your close family members for some much needed ranting and family gossip.

Stick to your traditions

As we get older, it's easy to lose sight of our traditions. Everybody spends the festive period differently, and it's so important to keep your personal family traditions and values going. In my family, our main tradition is that presents have to be opened one at a time, no diving into the pile! We all have to see what everybody else has got and actually take the time to thank people for each present. It takes a few hours, but it's so much more fun. Last year, we didn't open our presents until about 11pm as everybody was working different shifts, and we weren't all together until the late evening. We loved opening presents after sundown, so we've decided to make that a new tradition this year. Stockings in the morning, board games, movies, and films during the day, and dinner and presents in the evening. That way, we actually spend time with each other, rather than everybody running off to use/play with their new presents.

How do you stay happy and relaxed during the festive season? Let me know in the comments, and I'll see you tomorrow for another day of Blogmas!

Ciao for now, 

Katie x