Festive Favourites

If you’ve been following this blog for some time you’ll be aware I don’t do Christmas presents. This has resulted in the mistaken view that I’m related to the Grinch. This could not be further from the truth. It is a season I relish for several reasons which are about to become very clear to you.

In truth, one of my favourites relies on a turn in the weather. The minute I feel the merest ear tingling nip in the air it means I can begin to indulge in earnest. But indulge in what?

Hats of course.

I love wearing hats and find it as difficult to turn my back on a good hat as I do to shut my eyes when I pass a shoe shop. I’m not entirely sure where this love of hats comes from but I decided long ago not to fight it. I tend to favour hats which hark back to the 20s, 30s & 40s. And who can blame me? They just scream style as far as I’m concerned. You only have to watch an episode of The House of Eliott to see what I mean.

By now I’m sure you’re wondering what else tickles my festive fancy. I’m so glad you asked.

Most definitely next on the list has got to be the variety of festive drinks on offer. I’m particularly partial to a spot of mulled wine. I won’t refuse a spiced hot toddy either and have been known to frequent those coffee chains I otherwise eschew during the rest of the year to purchase such delicacies as Baileys, gingerbread and salted toffee lattes.

Naturally to accompany these drinks I need tasty treats and what better than a slice of Panettone or Pandoro. I have been known to stock up on mini chocolate panettone from Lidl so my unexpected guests can have a taste sensation with whichever drink is on offer. The fact my guests rarely get to sight this delicacy may have something to do with the fact I consume them as fast as I buy them.

Sadly I’ve never owned a Christmas jumper. A tragedy I hope to remedy soon. But what I do have are a selection of Christmas earrings. My favourites are a pair of vibrant blue sequined baubles bought for me by my wonderful fellow Ruskin Readers tutor Caroline. I take every opportunity to wear these sparkly babies even when they don’t compliment my outfit. Tis the season and has to be done.

But now for my final festive feel good must have. The Magic Radio Christmas channel is locked in from the 1^st of December on my kitchen radio. Anyone attempting to retune the dial will suffer serious injury. There are sharp knives in my kitchen. Next is the Freeview Christmas Channel. The films are saccharine sweet and the plots often ridiculous but I cannot resist it, especially when I have a mini panettone and festive drink in tow.

As is standard in my house, the Christmas tree goes up on the first Saturday of December and the downstairs areas get a festive make-over. A little party of sorts always accompanies the tangle of lights and gasps as ornaments are unveiled and their beauty re-examined. As it was my launch on the 2^nd I postponed the tree set up to the Sunday. The delay did not diminish the final effect or atmosphere.

Here's a little taster of the result

I would like to take this opportunity to remind friends and family that I really don’t need a gift. If you still feel the urge to gift me this festive season then please indulge me by donating to one of my favourite charities instead. The list with links to the donations pages are all below:

Centrepoint

SaveThe Children

World Wildlife Fund

WaterAid

Wishing you all a wonderful festive season

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