Christmas is less than TWO WEEKS away! I can’t believe how fast December, not to mention the whole year.
Thankfully, we’ve managed to squeeze in a few Christmas related trips already, from a Christmas Trail at London Zoo to a visit to Amberley Museum. We’ve also booked a visit to a LEGO themed grotto this week! We are well and truly on the festive train.
Last week, the lovely Jules from At Home With Jules tagged me in the Christmas Tag, which is a lovely Q&A dedicated to Christmas, so I thought now would be the best time to share my answers.
What’s your favourite Christmas movie?
Despite the fact that we’re probably going to watch it a dozen or so times this Christmas, I have to say that The Polar Express is up there in my ‘Top 3’, along with Home Alone, *cough* The Holiday, A Muppet Christmas Carol, and maybe Die Hard.
Where do you usually spend your holiday?
For the past few years we’ve tried to do alternate years between being on our own and then being with friends or family, whether we invite them to ours or visa versa. We’re quite precious with our alone time, so we always try to have at least one year when we’re on our own, but with recent family bereavements and general family life, that hasn’t always happened.
That being said, even when things haven’t gone to plan we’ve still had fun nonetheless!
The remainder of the holiday is then spent at home regardless of whether it’s been a year where we’ve been on our own. We chill on the sofa watching movies, playing games, and munching on food we now have no urge to eat! The only time we go out is to walk the dog.
What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
We’ve actually never thought about being anywhere but in the UK for Christmas, but if we had to choose I think somewhere like Canada or a Scandinavian country would be lovely. New York would also be wonderful, but I don’t know how I’d take to the hustle and bustle on Christmas Day – where we live it’s pretty quiet on Christmas Day, literally no one is out for several hours!
Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas morning!
Christmas Day starts pretty early for Sharon who sticks the turkey in the oven on low at around 4:00am so we wake to the smell that fills the house, she then comes back to bed for a few hours until T wakes around 8:00am. We then get dressed into some smart clothes, have a bit of breakfast and then open presents throughout the morning! Lunch is then a few hours later, and then it’s a cheesy film or a round of board games.
I’m hoping this year I get a post-Christmas dinner nap on the sofa like I used to pre-child, but I’m not hedging my bets.
Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
Our first Christmas as parents is probably the most memorable to date; it’s one of those events that we’d planned out way before your child was even born – it was one we were looking forward to the most!
I also remember though, snippets from my Christmases at a child. I remember my dad taking aaaaaaaages in the bathroom making himself look nice for photos – even though my sister and I had been ready an hour ago and were sat patiently waiting to open presents with my mum and nan – as well as the many Christmas dinners sat around the table pulling crackers.
I hope T remembers his Christmases as a child as fondly as I do with mine.
Be honest: Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
Giving. 100%.
I love physically giving the present as well as watch the recipient open them and then (hopefully) the happy look on their face. It’s such a pleasure to watch.
Favourite festive food?
Years ago, it probably would have been pigs in blankets, guaranteed. However, ever since Sharon jazzed up her brussel sprouts one year, I can’t help but start drooling every time I think of them – making them, probably, my favourite festive food.
EMBED: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq5hIx9lVI5/
Favourite Christmas scents?
It has to be the smell of Christmas Turkey throughout the house on Christmas morning or maybe Christmas Spiced coffee or hot chocolate.
Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
Because we would have been prepping for most of the day – cleaning, peeling veggies, prepping the turkey, and cooking a ham – we often get a takeaway in for dinner as a treat, usually our last one for the year! This has been happening for a number of years now and is a really fun tradition.
More recently, at least for the past two years since doing T’s book advent, story time on Christmas Eves comes with a new pair of pyjamas. Once T is then in bed, Sharon and I then take ourselves downstairs and crack open some bubbly and start building whatever monstrosity we’ve bought him. This year, there won’t be any of that thankfully as we’ve been quite tame with gifts, but that’s not going to stop us cracking open a bottle!
What tops your tree?
We have a simple glittery red star. We used to have some multi-coloured disco star, but we’ve calmed down over the years.
Have you ever had a white Christmas?
Not that I can remember! I’m usually pretty anti-snow as I have to work in it, but if I was at home anyway I wouldn’t mind at all.
What is your favourite Christmas song?
Now you’re asking! It really depends on my mood. I love a bit of Mariah or Wham! and maybe even some Michael Bublé, but I’m also quite partial to the Kelly Clarkson Christmas album.
Bet you didn’t expect that, did you?
Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
FAKE! 10 years old and going strong.
I would actually love a real Christmas tree one year, however Sharon is slightly allergic to the needles and we have a dog and two cats, so probably not the ideal place for a real tree. Plus, I’ve heard they’re a pain to dispose of later!
Are you a professional present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?
Sharon is the professional wrapper in our house, and not just for Christmas – her presents always look so pretty, it’s a shame to open them! My job is the writing of the cards as I have the nicest handwriting. We’re the perfect team.
What makes the holidays special for you?
Family.
This year, it’s the first Christmas that Sharon and her mum will have without T’s Grandad, so we’re having Sharon’s mum over for Christmas to make sure she’s OK. Although it’ll be hectic as T will be super excited, it’s what Christmas is all about. A few days later I then see my family, which will be round two of chaos, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My other favourite part will be seeing the magic in T’s eyes. This is the first Christmas that he really gets it. I can’t wait to see how he reacts when Father Christmas has eaten his Mince Pie and given his reindeers a carrot.
Tag!
I’m inviting the following bloggers to take part in the Christmas Tag, but if you’d like to write your own, feel free to join in!
1 comment
Oh I love this! I think a lot of my answers will be similar to yours. Will start tomorrow evening, thanks for the tag x
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