Christmas pressure

Hey readers, 

Christmas can be tough especially when you see how good some people live their life on social media. 

But what you must remember is that it is only what you see in a picture, you don't know the whole story. Remember you are not alone and lots of other people feel similar to the pressure of Christmas and the high expectations you put on yourself.

I don't have all the money in the world but I have learnt that it does not matter. I don't need to be perfect nor do I need to put this big expectation on myself to be something that I can not achieve, it is ok too so what feels right for you. 

Everyone is different and the more I accept myself and my situation the better chance I will of enjoying Christmas without the stress.

I think one of the things about the Christmas stress is expectations to be perfect and provide everything for everyone. why put Yourself under that stress when you know it is not achievable if you haven't got the money. 

No point beating yourself up over it, it is ok to have a budget, it is ok not to buy everything in the Argos Catalogue. You do not have to worry as social services will not be knocking on the door because you have not brought your child enough toys for Christmas or the latest gadget.

However, it is also important to remember that Christmas should not be about the money but getting together and being nice to one other. you don't need a million pounds to have a good time. 

You could go for a walk together and that would be just as wonderful be sure you are doing something together as a family. 

Sometimes just being with the people you love is more important. I have been at times the loneliest with no one and I need to remind myself it is so much better now with having the opportunity to spend Christmas with the people I love and love me back.

You don't always to have money to be happy.. of course, it helps with paying the bill's and keeping a roof over your head. but for materialistic gifts, happiness is only short-lived anyway into you want the next thing.

 Anyone can go out and buy something but not everyone is as lucky as me to have a safe roof over their heads or having people in your life that accept you for who you are.

Who cares about all the stresses of Christmas? The only person is you, most kids really care and just hold on the memories.

Don't spend if you can't afford it is ok to do what is right for you and within your means.

No point getting stressed about money do what feels right for you and remember really it's the only day. Enjoy watching telly, eating too much chocolate and being with the ones you love.

Cheers for reading X

Self care activities for December.

Hey readers,

December can be a busy time of year for us all. We can be swept away by everything else that is happening that we forget to look after ourselves or give ourselves some time out to take self-care. 

So, here are some practical self-care activities you can do this December to help reduce the stress of the Christmas period.

Mindfulness.

Practice some mindfulness - look around and see the lights twinkling from the decorations in the Christmas tree.

Bath.

Have a long soak in the bath and unwind. Let your muscles relax and give your body that time to rest.

Sleep.

Have an early night and switch off the technology, even take a book to bed to read and escape with a story.

Exercise.

Go for an evening walk and get some fresh air. Enjoy not having to rush about but just soak up the scenery.

Drink.

Make a yummy hot chocolate and drink it whilst watching your favourite programme. Just focus on the moment and forget about that to-do list.

 There is something lovely about holding a hot cup of your favourite drink in your hands and feeling all cosy.

Being realistic.

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the business of the festive season create limits to stick to. Instead of doing wrapping in one go do it over two days.

 There is no point rushing about when it will tip you over the edge. It makes you feel stressed and causes tension in the home. It is important to break down goals that are manageable and realistic to achieve.

Ask for help.

If you are struggling then ask for help - it is not a crime and you are not a failure in doing this. 

In actual fact, it takes more courage and strength to know when to stop and give someone else the responsibility. It is better productivity that way.

Remember.

Remind yourself that it is ok to stop and not be busy. It is ok to time out for yourself and your wellbeing. 

It is ok to do nothing even though you feel that the festive period is about constantly being on the go. It is ok to have time out for yourself to rejuvenate and charge your batteries. 

Declutter.

During this period I find that decluttering helps my mind. Sorting out through unwanted toys that boys don't use and passing them on to someone else ready for Christmas when they get tons more to replace the space that once was.

I find it relaxing just putting music on and pottering about. I like to get things in order and get areas tidy. It is a calming and I love the feeling after when you get a sense of satisfaction.

Write.

I find writing relaxing (hence why I blog) though you don't necessarily have to do that if you don't want to. 

You could write a gratitude diary where you write the number of positive things that have happened to you that day. It doesn't have too big it could be simply having a shower, getting out of bed.

 It is the small things and getting into this pattern can really help enhance a more positive mindset over time.

What self care activities do you go to during December to help you relax? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section down below. 

Cheers for reading X

How to make a homemade hot chocolate in a jar.

 Hey readers, 

If you like making homemade presents or giving something with a personal touch then these cute homemade hot chocolate in a jar might be the one for you. 

I think they look really good and perfect to make for someone as a Christmas present. 

How to make homemade hot chocolate in a jar.

What you will need. 

* Mason jar.

* Cocoa powder.

* Sweets.

* Chocolate drops.

* String.

* Christmas tag.

* Hole punch.

* Straw.

 

Method. 

1. Get a mason jar with a lid.

2. Layer each ingredient.

 - starting with 1 cup of cocoa powder.

- 1 cup of sugar.

- 1/2 a cup of chocolate drops. 

3. Finally add a handful of Smarties (or any chosen sweets).

4. With the hole punch place the Christmas tag in and punch one hole. 

5. Next get some Rippon threat through the hole and wrap it around the neck of the jar. Use the ribbon to tie the straw.

6. Finally place the lid to secure. 

Cheers for reading X

My top 10 christmas songs.

Hey readers,

I have compiled a playlist of my favourite Christmas songs to get you dancing around that Christmas tree. 

I love a bit of everything from Jazz, to hip-hop to even the 80s (of course has to be done doesn’t). So grab a mince pie and enjoy.

Driving Home for Christmas – Chris Rea.

My favourite Christmas song EVER is Driving Home for Christmas by Chris Rea. I just think it is a really beautiful voice and that sense of love to it, makes me smile and feel all googly inside.

Let It Snow – Dean Martin.

I love jazz music when it's Christmas time, it just feels classy and a bit like you got to sh*t together. It just has the right collection of notes. Dean Martin’s voice just captures Christmas for me and it makes me think of fires and all the jazz (excuse the pun there).

Winter Wonderland – Frank Sinatra.

My favourite Jazz singer has to be Frankie baby with this classic of Winter Wonderland. it is a perfect compliment when wrapping presents and decorating the Christmas tree.

Baby, it’s Cold Outside – Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews.

Let’s move along in time to the late ’90s with this amazing duet from Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews. It is cheeky, it is fun what more could you want?

Merry Christmas – Mel and Kim.

I can not miss out on adding an 80’s classic to my Christmas song wish list with this timeless song that you hear. It is, of course, Merry Christmas by Mel and Kim. You know this is a fun pop song and you be guaranteed to want to sing along to it.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year – Andy Williams.

A beaut of a song is this is one of the most popular songs of Andy Williams with it’s the most wonderful time of year. What a credible voice and perfect to add to anyone’s Christmas playlist.

Merry Christmas I Don’t Want to Fight Tonight – The Ramones.

Now I have picked something a little alternative and not such a popular Christmas track. It is a song by The Ramones called Merry Christmas I don’t want to fight tonight. I like this track because it is got a raw edge to it. 

 It is a bit more realistic regards to the pressures of family life at Christmas. Let’s face there is a lot of pressure whether it is financial or whatever it can take its toll.

The Little Drummer Boy (Peace on Earth) – Bing Crosby featuring David Bowie.

A beautiful duet with David Bowie and Bing Crosby. To think a glam rocker and a crooner could work so well but it did and thank goodness it was released because it is brilliant!

Santa Claus Go Straight to the Ghetto – James Brown.

Now we are moving on to a bit of soul with the Godfather of Soul James Brown. If you ain’t tapping along with this one what is wrong with you, it is upbeat and full of funk with a mix of Christmas blended in.

Christmas in Hollies – RUN-DMC.

For fun and one you want to turn the volume up Run DMC with Christmas in hollies, for awesome Christmas raps to get you in the spirit of Christmas.

Cheers for reading X

Christmas punch recipe.

 Hey readers, 

What a festive treat is a Christmas punch and it is so easy to knock up. Below is the recipe which takes minutes to do but packs all the punch in a drink. 

What you need. 

* Ice

* 200ml vodka

* 200ml cranberry juice

* 200ml orange juice  juice

* 6 tsp brown sugar (optional)

* 300ml soda water

How to make it. 

1. Fill a large jug or punch bowl with ice. Add the vodka, cranberry and clementine juice and stir to combine. I

2. If you want to add a little sweetness to this naturally sharp-tasting punch stir in the sugar and mix until dissolved.

Enjoy X

31 blog ideas for December

Hey readers, 

Seaming as we are approaching December I have drawn up 31 blog post ideas perfect for December so don't worry but just write. Enjoy :)

1. What is on your wish list this year?

2. New year's resolutions. 

3. A gift guide.

4. Host a giveaway.

5. A list of books you have read this year.

6. Write your year in a review.

7. Create a fiction story that you have made up.

8. Share a cookie recipe.

9. Things that you have learned this year. 

10. What's on in your local area? 

11. Tips and hacks to survive the winter.

12. Share your favourite holiday activities.

13. What can you think during winter? 

14. How do you conquer cabin fever?

15. Write a winter bucket list.

16. What are the best Christmas markets near you? 

17. How do you get over the Christmas blues? 

18. What are your favourite Christmas movies? 

19. Christmas outfit ideas. 

20. Gift ideas for kids. 

21. Share your holiday decor. 

22. Write a letter to Santa. 

23. Favourite slow cooker recipes. 

24. Write about your Christmas traditions. 

25. Have a day off, it's Christmas day after all. 

26. Best activities to do in Winter. 

27. Share your favourite Pinterest boards and explain why. 

28. How do you organise your blog/time?

29. A guide to Christmas stocking fillers.

30. Your Christmas wishlist.

31. Skincare for the winter.

Will you be using any of these blog post ideas? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.

Cheers for reading X 

How to deal with post Christmas blues.

Hey readers,

Well, it is officially the end of Christmas and the holiday season but what now? It can be a hard period where you deflated and in a post-slum. These feelings can be hard to shift so let me give you some tips on how to overcome the holiday blues. 

Get outdoors.

It can be easy to sit at home feeling meh, ok you don't have the money, you might have put on a few pounds and just a general feeling of flatness. One way to help lift your mood is to shake off the cobwebs and go out for a walk and breath in the fresh air. Walking in the open can be really beneficial and trust me you feel so much better after choosing to do it.  

Plan. 

With all the fun and games of Christmas end sometimes you need to have a plan on how to move forward and do something constructive like choosing a book of your reading list or sorting out your wardrobe. Anything, that can distract you and do something that can benefit you and make you feel good at doing something that day.  

Have something to look forward to. 

Just because Christmas has ended doesn't mean you can't plan something to look forward to, whether it is going for a coffee somewhere or checking out the local art gallery, you can still get excited about doing something worthy after Christmas.  

Expect some letdown.

They say preparation is key and one way is to expect some letdown after Christmas. Doing this can cause let emotional response to the end of the event meaning it might suck a shock mentally and easier to manage when Christmas has ended.  

Be kind to yourself. 

Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy, it is important to understand that sometimes life can be tough and be gentle with yourself. It takes a little time to adjust from the comedown of Christmas and get back to reality and normality kicks back in. 

Make healthy choices. 

With planning and preparation instead of just eating all the crap food focus on eating healthy as this will have benefits of feeling better in your mood especially in reducing the feelings of sluggishness. Not only that but it will also give you more energy to cope with emotions and get more productive with your day. 

Write about it.

They do say that sometimes the best way of dealing with emotions is to write the feelings down, it can help clear your head and many come with some ways to help overcome the negative feelings of post-Christmas blues. 

Reflection. 

Looking back over the Christmas period and focusing on the positives and the fun times can help you feel better. Knowing that you have created happy memories and there will be many more Christmases in the future to experience the fun times of Christmas again can help with the pain of holidays ending. 

Write thank-you notes. 

Another way to bring on happiness after Christmas is to write out thank you notes to friends and relatives for the presents they have to send you. 

What ways help you overcome the holiday blues? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X  

My christmas traditions

Hey readers,

Today I want to talk about Christmas traditions that I and my family partake in.

So, where do I Start I guess with Christmas Eve I tend to now tune in to Channel Four's special Christmas movie they air each year.

 I have done this since the boys were little and it is just a lovely way to settle down in the eve before Christmas. Channel four are normally good at picking some really calm films perfect to watch just for bed. The kind of thing is The Snowman and the snowdog or we are going on a bear hunt.

Along with watching the Christmas Eve film, we make a luxury hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, yummy.

Each year my boys 'help' with putting up the Christmas tree whilst blasting out old classic Jazz Christmas songs, I also prefer that music, and reminds me of my own childhood.

On Christmas day I love to go for a family walk, normally ending up at a park. When we go to the park it is bizarre because it is so eerily quiet when normally it would be buzzing with kids everywhere.

Can't be Christmas without an advent calendar to lead us up to Christmas. Nothing like getting tiny chocolate in the morning, lol.

Every year we go visit Santa locally (it was the same one I went to as a kid so happy memories associated) so it holds happy memories not just for my children but for me as well. It is really fun as there is a Santa sleigh ride where you are still in a sleigh and it moves. It is really pretty with the lights and the kids get all excited to go meet Santa.

My boys are now at that age where they love to write Christmas cards to relatives and friends. They love personalising it with their drawing and stickers - it is a lovely activity to do during Saturday afternoon.

Every Christmas I put up two stockings for the boys to enjoy small little presents and random items, which ironically are some of their favourite things they get over Christmas.

This tradition is more of my husband's thing, which is Christmas crackers at the table. 

Me personally I think they are a waste of money but I am sure I waste money on other things over Christmas. Nonetheless, the boys the surprise by the noise from pulling on crackers and we can have a laugh at the rubbish jokes that come with the crackers.

Going to school play at Christmas is magical to go and see as parents and see your little ones dressed up and singing Christmas songs. I always come away feeling cosy inside and the boys feel proud of all the effort they put into their roles.

Awful cheesy Christmas jumpers that are just glorious to wear during Christmas. My boys love Christmas jumpers especially when one of theirs has lights on it and sings songs, which adds to the excitement of Christmas.

Finally, the last tradition is, of course, leaving a plate out for Santa that consists of a glass of milk, mince pie, and a carrot for the reindeer. My kids after being super happy in the morning to see the plate empty bar a few crumbs, hehe.

Cheers for reading X

  

10 reasons to love Christmas

Hey readers,

It is now less than a month away from the big day of Christmas and what better way to get you in the festive mood than to give you all the good reasons why you should love Christmas.

1. Christmas. 

Christmas is a time where you can relax and you don't have to feel like you have to be doing something because it's a holiday and that means you can be as lazy as you want bliss.

2. Twinkly lights.

Christmas is all about the decorations and twinkly sparkly colours to decorate your home with. I'm partial to twinkly lights because they are not so daring. I like them also because they are relaxing and they just make everything so magical.

3. Hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate is the beverage of the festive season. There are so many varieties now in the coffee shops perfect to take time out from Christmas shopping. Alternatively, hot chocolate is delightful when at home when you want to snuggle down watch a film and feel all cosy hot chocolate is a drink for you.

4. Food.

Christmas is a time to fill up with glorious food that has a million calories but it doesn't matter because it doesn't count because it's Christmas. Food can vary from mince pies to a full roast dinner with all the trimmings followed by trifles. Therefore when you are full-on Christmas day you can sniffle down on the soda and have a nap. so that 

5. Music. 

I am partial to a bit of Christmas music especially from old-time crooners such as Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. Them jazz notes are perfect to relax in the evening or when you are wrapping Christmas presents with a little drinky poo. 

6. Food containers. 

Isn't it lovely when food comes in something where music plays and lights up? I am such a sucker for this type of product us it also makes a wonderful gift for someone? 

7 TV specials.

For once Christmas is an opportunity to have at least one or more decent programs to watch at Christmas time. For my children, they channel 4 special films aired on Christmas eve. However, for me this year I can not wait for Gavin and Stacey's Christmas special. 

8 Dark nights. 

With winter being dark and cold nothing is better when closing the doors pulling the curtains closed and getting cosy with the family, perfection. 

9. Knitwear. 

Christmas is all about being cosy and happy. What better way to achieve this than wearing coy knitwear perfect for staying warm and snug especially after Christmas Dinner where you can have a checky nana nap in your warm, cosy jumper because it's Christmas and it is socially acceptable. 

10. Booze. 

Booze is lovely especially a glass of Babycham to make you feel merry. What is even better is the fact that is not frowned upon for one day only on Christmas day where you can drink before 10 am without any judgment made, get in! 

What do you love about Christmas? Love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below. 

Cheers for reading X 

The A to Z of Christmas

Hey readers,

Not sure if you are aware that it is the month of December which can only mean one thing..... Christmas! Get ready as I give you the A to Z of Christmas, Ho Ho Ho.

A - Christmas would not be Christmas without an artificial tree to set off the living room decor nicely and place them Christmas presents under.

B - The bells, the bells yep them lovely shiny gold and chiming away in the classic Christmas hit of Wizard's 'I wish it could be Christmas every day. Though personally not sure I would want that as it would be a hell of a chore to do every day.

C- Well as December is the Christmas month that means it is socially acceptable to have chocolate EVERY day and shock horror you can even have it after breakfast, whoop! No guilt is needed, it is all about getting in the spirit of Christmas ok people!

D - Decorations are one of the main features at Christmas time. Some people like traditional plain baubles or glittery baubles but not me, I have a cow, ice cream, and a pink fluffy silhouette. I personally, got more interested in tacky and non-related Christmas decorations when I learned how much my husband hated them, lol you have to get your sh*ts and giggles somewhere.

E - Christmas is all about exchanging gifts, who doesn't like a Lynx gift set or a pair of socks, this is the dream right there.

F - In the UK it is freezing during December, so remember to wrap up warm.

G - Christmas is all about making memories and having a good time. But you need to have at least one argument because you know it is bloody Christmas and it is stressful.

H - The ultimate beverage is no other than the hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows - now your talking!

I - Irrational fear about where you left the Christmas presents that were saved from the January sales. Arghh, they are hidden so well you have forgotten where you have left them, PANIC!

J - Everyone has to be jolly and plaster that fake smile because it is all about having a good time ;)

K - Kris Kringle is the main geezer of this big event, every single year.

L - If you do have an argument you can sit in the room having a sulk and staring at the twinkly lights.

M - Moody me? Not only when my husband decides to lie back and snore and I can't watch The Royal Family (not the real one but the comedy).

N - Nob is my favourite word to mouth at my husband when he is stressing me out and we need to sort out dinner.

O - Organised because that is how I like my life.

P - Panic when you forgot the goose fat, these things matter at Christmas.

Q - queues everywhere, heating whacked up in the shops. I think I might be sick with this overload of chaos. Christmas in the air when you enter a shop so be warned because everyone is on the same mission.

R - Rejoice it is 8 pm on Christmas day and now we can sit back and check out the sales.

S - Must remember to stock their stockings.

T - Trimmings are crucial in the Christmas dinner game.

U - Unwrap and leave your mummy to move around like a ninja with the black bin bag.

V - Visit from Aunt Sue who sits there and moans.

W - Wintery because it is freezing.

X - Is for Xmas in case you might have forgotten.

Y - I blinking love a chocolate yule log just for your information.

Z - ZZZ because this Christmas business is knackering init.

Cheers for reading X