Christmas is an odd time of year, when you really think about it the month of December is quite unlike any other. It's a time when everyone comes together, a time of festive cheer, but also a time for the odd scrooge here or there - baa humbug! And whilst I'd usually be lusting after the warm summer weather, without a doubt Christmas has always been my favourite time of year for a variety of reasons.
I've also previously written about my favourite Christmas music; whilst I haven't included it within this list, there's no doubt that music doesn't top it. If you'd like to discover what music I love to listen to during this festive season, you can here!
Okay, maybe it's a little early to begin thinking about this, I mean, it's over a week away, but being the big spender I am, one of the things I greatly look forward to after Christmas day is embarrassingly the Boxing Day sales! Now I'm definitely not one of those people to get up at the crack of dawn and head down to my favourite store to try and scour for the best bargains, I much prefer doing it all from the comfort of my own home, online, as I'm sure many of you do too.
Based on previous years, there's certain stores which I always love looking at as Boxing Day rolls around. So I've decided to share with you some of those stores, as well as some of my favourite items currently in stock - let's hope they all go on sale in time for the 26th!
As we roll ever so close to Christmas day, the red lips are certainly coming out in full force. I'm a big lover of a red lip for the festive season, as I'm sure many of you are too, but since making the decision to go cruelty-free, I've since realised how few products I actually own from cruelty-free brands. However, after having a scrummage through my entire collection, I managed to find some absolute gems; some which I have well and truly used and abused and others that I'm only just beginning to find love for.
If there's one thing that'll put me in the Christmas mood, it's guaranteed to be Christmas music. For me, the festive season has officially begun from the moment that I blast my favourite Christmas playlist whilst I'm decorating our family Christmas tree; embarrassingly I find that it's one of the happiest days of the year!
So what do I tend to listen to on my Christmas playlist?
If you know me, you'll definitely know that I am a huge Disney fan, so much so that I've vlogged my last two Walt Disney World holidays and my YouTube channel has shifted to mainly Disney related topics!
I love Disney, in fact I recently wrote a post on Why I Keep Going Back To Disney to give everyone a greater understanding of why Disney and the parks mean so much to me. And whilst I'd give anything to be there right now, the next best thing is to bring a little Disney into the home; and I know I'm not the only one who'd be lusting after some Disney items this Christmas. It's not just for kids, Disney is for the young at heart, those of all ages and this gift guide is perfect for absolutely any Disney fan.
I'm probably the last blogger to start her Christmas posts this festive season, but hey ho, they're finally here! And in good time, because nows that time when more and more people begin to stress over what to buy their loved ones as the big day looms just around the corner. Can't find that perfect gift for your mum or maybe you have a friend who already has everything? Don't worry; I'm here to bring you a plethora of options suited for any and every female this season. Heck, you may even spot the perfect gift for some of the men in your life!
I know it's all been done and gone, but I refuse to believe that Christmas is truly over. The festive season is one of my favourite times of year and as soon as the New Year has passed everything is over. Just like that. And then we all have to get back into the swing of things and go back to normal. Or even worse for me, we have to brave the dreaded cold. Honestly after it's all over, the only thing I want is for summer to roll around. But today we're going back. I'm having a look at my Christmas day, what I did on that one special day, and I'm sharing it with you!
Well we're here! Christmas Eve! It's crazy how quickly Christmas comes around as you get older. I can remember being a kid and the feeling as though I was waiting for months and months for the day to finally come around; in all actuality I was waiting that long! But December, like the rest of 2016 has well and truly flown on by.
And for one little moment I can be proud of myself, as for the first time since starting my blog back in 2013 I have completed Blogmas! Blogmas was my way of getting back into blogging. It's safe to say that to a large degree I had abandoned by blog. Aside from the odd post here and there which I've been posting more frequently towards the end of this past year, the activity on my blog was basically, well nothing. And whilst Blogmas has had it's difficulties (I'll get into that in a moment), overall I've really enjoyed the whole experience. It's not only allowed me to further express my creativity on a platform which I have single-handedly built on my own (aside from a few helpful tips on the Internet), but I feel a greater part of the blogging community since doing it once more...and lets not get me started on how much I feel my photography skills have improved these past few weeks! Plus I've begun to have a greater appreciation for blogging and I'm really starting to enjoy it all over again!
And whilst I have greatly enjoyed good ol' Blogmas, it doesn't quite mean that I'll be keeping this up entirely. Although blogging more frequently is certainly on the agenda, seven days a week isn't going to be possible for me. Right now, in my current situation, I would like to assume that posting weekdays will be sufficient enough for me, especially when considering I also have my own YouTube channel and job to commit to as well...lets not even get started on full-time job hunting! So I think that would be the plan for me going ahead into 2017! As I've found with Blogmas, blogging during the weekends became more of a hindrance than anything else; being at work all day really didn't help with anything and towards the end, it became incredibly difficult to take photos and write posts...basically working in retail is a nightmare around Christmas and should be avoided at all costs (unless you need the money)!
Anyhow, tomorrow we'll all be waking up, the 25th of December, Christmas Day. Whether you're at home with loved ones or maybe working throughout the day (I commend you), I hope each and everyone of you have an absolutely incredible time.
One of the best things about Christmas for myself personally is to be able to spend an increased amount of time with family and friends. For me Christmas should always be spent at home - I don't feel as though it would feel quite the same or as festive elsewhere in the world, but with Christmas being a mere two days away, it got me questioning, if I could spend Christmas (or a portion of the lead up/New Year's) absolutely anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Now my two options are probably hardly surprising. As an extreme Disney fan, being able to spend at least a portion of the festive season in the Most Magical Place on Earth aka. Disney World would be a dream come true for me. The decorations that they place around each of the parks and resorts makes the already beautiful resort even prettier. And the additional Christmas shows and events that they have going on in the lead up to Christmas, including Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and Epcot's Holidays Around the World give me additional reasons to go and spend time in Disney doing things I've yet been able to do.
My second option, also a very common option, would be New York. Having only been to New York during May, I've been fortunate enough to experience the city in the heat of the summer (well, Spring...we were there during a heatwave)! And whilst I'm not a huge fan of the colder weather, there seems to be something incredibly magical about spending some part of December in New York. For me, I would love to be in the bustling city for New Years; watching the Ball Drop at Times Square, whilst the Christmas decorations are still out in full swing! However, the extremely large crowds might end up putting me off a little!
Where do you dream of spending your most magical Christmas?
Okay, I know it's still a few days away and I'm totally skipping over Christmas day here, but one of my favourite things during this festive season, sad as it may sound, are the Boxing Day sales! Now I don't want Christmas day to simply whiz on by, after all it's one of my favourite days of the year, but I can't help but think about what I could be buying on Boxing Day for cheap!
However, I'm definitely not one to be going out to shop for the bargains in store; I can't stand the chaoticness of everyone crowded together in the same area trying to catch the best deals. Instead, like many do now, I choose to browse through the sales from the comfort of my own home, online. Although I strongly dislike that you're unable to truly tell how the product looks, feels, or whether it will fit you to a tee - there's always guaranteed to be something that just doesn't quite fit or looks completely different to the image on the site, I much prefer the relaxing feel to choosing my sale picks at home. Plus you pretty much have the full range of sale picks online...will stores really carry everything?!
As a self-acclaimed Christmas freak, the one thing that will always get me into the Christmassy mood is no doubt Christmas music. As soon as I hear that first hint of festive music, it constantly puts me in a better mood. And being someone who has Spotify on at every possible point in their life, I found it only plausible to create my very own Christmas Spotify playlist!
Christmas music to me is all about the classics. Although I might listen to the occasional Michael Buble Christmas song or Coldplay's Christmas Lights (which made it's way onto my playlist), there's something significantly more magical and festive to me about those older songs; in fact, pretty much every song, bar Coldplay's, was released before I was born (don't quote me on that)! I think it's because growing up these were always the songs playing in the background of our house; the songs that we've had playing as we open presents every Christmas morning - it's just not Christmas without them!
With just under a week to go until Christmas, it's safe to say that almost everyone is well and truly in the Christmassy mood...well, except for all those Grinches out there!
And as the sunlight is having some trouble making an appearance, hence why I've been unable to take some decent photos which I feel I can show you, I thought that I would instead talk to you about my plans in the lead-up to Christmas! I would also love to know what you have planned for this next week!
It's fair to say that during the festive season, I love a good game. Whether it be a card game, board game, trivia game, I don't care; there's something special about being together with the whole family and gathering to play a fun little game. But in particular, the one day that we seemingly play more games than any other is Christmas day, and they always seem to be games that we only ever pull out on the day itself!
So I've compiled a mini list of some of my favourite family Christmas day games. Therefore if you're on the lookout for some fun ideas for the 25th of December, look no further!
I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has been with just days to go until Christmas and still yet to find that perfect present for someone. And with Christmas looming around the corner, (is it seriously next Sunday), we all need to kicks our butts into gear! So if you get your mum the same present ever year, have nothing in mind for the grandparents, or just have a hard to buy for friend, I may actually have you sorted!
Yes, 50 ideas! Whilst none of them are specifically tailored to any individual, I have collected 50 different ideas which may be suitable to buy as a last minute gift for honestly, absolutely everyone! Whilst the majority of items shown are my own, and will therefore be highly suited towards 22-year-old Disney obsessed, makeup loving females, there are still many options that could be altered to fit the tastes of your 82-year-old gran or even your 6-year-old brother!
So make sure to watch the video below for a quick run-through of 50 last minute gift ideas and let me know what you think!
Until recently, or should I say last year, I'd never owned a Christmas jumper. I know, disgraceful! But since my first jumper purchase, all I've wanted is more! There are so many cute styles on offer now (check out my Christmas jumper post here), but I've really been holding off purchasing another one as I can really only wear it for one month of a year. With that said, it probably wouldn't be odd to see me in a Christmas jumper in May...
Christmas. The season well and truly made for that bold red lip. And of course I'm one of those girls you'll find walking down the street rocking that classic red lip. Whilst I'll wear red lipstick at practically any point of the year, give or take a few days in December and it's by far my go-to choice! Especially if you're wearing quite a dark outfit, a red lip can seriously help spruce your entire look, and it makes a statement. I'm not afraid when it comes to my lips, I'll happily make a statement.
It's pretty safe for me to say that other than Christmas Day itself, one of my absolute favourite days of the year is the day we bring down all of the decorations and finally put up my beloved Christmas tree! To me it signifies that Christmas is well and truly under way; I can begin to feel festive and get into that Christmassy mood. Although I love all the decorations placed around our home, the tree will always have a special place in my heart...so special I've gone to the trouble of naming it! Everyone, meet Murray, Murray Christmas!
Christmas party season is well and truly here! I'm sure if you haven't been out celebrating yet, you're sure to have something lined up. And if not, then New Year's just around the corner. I'll be the first one to admit that you're much more likely to find me snuggled up in my house watching YouTube videos or a movie, but those nights that I do end up venturing out with my friends (or even family), these are the essentials that have made in into my Christmas party clutch!
And fyi, I do not take a blusher out with the intention of using it as a blusher. I'd need an entire makeup bag otherwise...
As a fan of the occasional lipstick and eyeshadow...heck who are we kidding?! As a fan of virtually every lipstick and eyeshadow ever made, I feel as though I have a pretty good idea as to some great gifts for the makeup obsessed woman, or man. I decided to pick out some slightly splurgy makeup gifts which if you're willing to spend a little extra, will surely be a hit for that special person.
I'm not old. As much as I like to say I am, I'm 22. I'm really not old. But as I've gotten older, things have definitely changed. And Christmas is one of those things I've noticed drastic changes in over recent years.
As a kid, I think it's fair to say that many of us are a little selfish, thinking of all the toys we'll receive on the big day, possibly for months in advance. I'm not afraid to admit that I was selfish in a way; I was a kid. I would spend an entire day flicking through the Argos catalogue and noting down all the presents I wanted that year...I'm not alone, I've heard of many others doing this too!
But as I've grown (and I'm sure for many of you too), I've begun to realise what Christmas is really about. Yes it's lovely to receive gifts, it's also lovely to give gifts; in fact I love shopping for gifts so as the individual I'm shopping for isn't as I would say "awkward". And on another note, one of my favourite days of the year is the day we put up our Christmas tree. But as corny as it may sound, I started to realise that Christmas is really about family and spending time with those who you truly care about. Christmas is really that one and only time of the year that I get to see my entire family all at once; where we all come together for food, games and just general festive chats, and I treasure all of that - I know, you want me to stop with all the cheesy slop...
But just remember that regardless of your age, Christmas isn't all about the gifts you receive, it's about the memories that you make. Horrible as it may sound, you never know when your last Christmas with anyone will be, so cherish every moment.
I've also filmed the Christmas Tag on my YouTube channel, talking about all things festive!
What is Christmas all about for you? Has it changed since you were younger?
