The Christmas Tag

It is already the 12th of December and this is my first festive post of the year! I need to dig out my Christmas jumper, whack the Michael Buble album on and get into the Christmas spirit I think, there’s only 13 days left to go after all. So to get my blog feeling a little less scrooge like I am taking up the challenge to do the Christmas tag, thanks to the lovely Lucy (Lucy at Home) for my nomination. I am a big lover of Christmas really – I think it’s just sleep deprivation killing my Christmas buzz this year – so I am looking forward to answering these questions all about the best day of the year.

The Christmas Tag

What’s your favourite Christmas Movie?

via GIPHY

This is easy, it has to be Elf. I watch it atleast once every year without fail, Buddy is just so happy and positive that you can’t help but smile and feel festive when watching this film. I also love Home Alone and the more alternative side of me loves The nightmare before Christmas – nothing like a creepy skeleton in a Santa hat to get you in the Christmas spirit hey?

Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Yes! I grew up in the hills of mid Wales so it snowed quite often. I don’t remember a Christmas in particular but I do have memories of looking out my window to see the hills covered in white. I would love for it to snow this year as Leo has never seen it but it is far too warm down here in the South of England, we will need to relocate back to frosty Wales if we want the chance to build any snowmen.

Where do you usually spend your holiday?

When I was a kid it was always at home with my parents and siblings, grandparents would usually come over for Christmas dinner too. Ever since Oli and I have been together we have spent it together in our own home (and with Leo when he arrived). This year we are hosting Oli’s parents and brothers and I am so excited to be spending Christmas with a big crowd of people, I always miss being close to family the most at this time of year. It is also Alex’s first Christmas so I am extra looking forward to having family around this year.

What is your favourite Christmas song?

I like loads and it changes over the years. I would say this year my favourite is Santa Claus is coming to town by the Jackson 5, Leo has been singing it which is super cute but also means it has been stuck in my head most days.

Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

Umm, no! Why would anyone do that? Once you open one you will want to open them all so you may as well wait one more night and do it on the actual day.

Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

I don’t think so, I am not actually sure how many there are and does Rudolf actually count as one? Let me have a go: Donna, Blitzen, Prancer, Dasher, Comet and Cupid? If that’s right please let me know as I will be very impressed if I named them all!

What holiday traditions are you looking forward to this year?

Last year was the first year we left a mince pie and drink out for Santa and it was so much fun watching Leo do it and then seeing his reaction when they were gone the next day. I am excited to do it again this year as he is really absorbed with the whole Christmas thing now and his belief in Santa is so magical to see. We don’t really have any other traditions unless you count drinking alcohol before noon and eating chocolate all day as a tradition?

Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

It’s real and I am so excited about it. Oli and I have always had fake trees and, in comparison to a really tree, they always look a bit rubbish. This year though we went to a local farm, let Leo choose our tree and we got one that is pretty much touching the ceiling. It is massive and I love it, makes me smile whenever I look at it and the living room smells all Christmassy now too.

What is your all time favourite holiday treat/food/sweet?

This is hard because I love all food, especially Christmas food. I would have to say chocolate yule log, gingerbread or hot chocolate with marshmallows and squirty cream as I don’t have those any other time of the year. Or being allowed to drink prosecco for breakfast and not being judged for it!

Be honest, do you like giving or receiving gifts better?

When I was younger I definitely preferred receiving presents more (what kid doesn’t?) but now I am all about the giving. I am so excited to see Leo opening up his presents and watching his little face light up when he sees what is inside. I am actually not bothered about myself at all this year, although I won’t lie it would be nice to get some new clothes as nothing seems to fit right since I had Alex.

What is the best Christmas present you ever received?

When I was a little girl my parents got me the Barbie dream house and it was the Best.Thing.Ever, I loved it. As an adult I am not sure, a couple years ago Oli got me tickets to see Derren Brown Live and tickets for a Jason Manford comedy gig, I remember being really chuffed with those.

What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

So I have this image of the perfect Christmas day in my head that I really want to do at least once in my life. I would love to rent a massive, rustic looking cottage and have all my family and all of Oli’s family there for Christmas. It would be somewhere snowy where the children could play outside, it would be in the middle of nowhere, maybe on top of a hill in Scotland or something. Inside we would have a roaring fire, a huge tree and we would all help to make Christmas dinner. I don’t know if this will ever be possible but it’s on my bucket list.

Are you a pro present wrapper or do you fail miserably?

I start off well but I tend to get bored about half way through and that’s when my wrapping starts to deteriorate significantly!

Most memorable Christmas moment?

It was Christmas day 2012, Oli and I skyped his parents and broke the news that we were expecting our fist baby. What better present to give your parents than the news they will be getting a little grandchild in a few months time?

What made you realise the truth about Santa?

I am not sure, someone either told me or I just figured it out. There comes a point when the magic starts to get replaced with common sense and you realise it is just no way possible for a man to fly around the world on a sleigh pulled by reindeer and give presents to every child there is. Christmas is definitely more fun when there is that magic though, that’s why I love it so much more now I have my own kids who believe.

What makes the holidays special for you?

Just spending time with family, watching Christmas films and helping Leo set up and play with his new toys.

Thanks again Lucy for my nomination, I am feeling all warm and fuzzy inside now – I am now officially feeling festive.

My nominations for the Christmas tag are..

Fi from Beauty Baby and Me

Mackenzie from Reflections from Me

Kat from Candy Floss and Dreams

Claire from The Pramshed

Hope you can join in ladies, will love to hear about all your Christmas memories and traditions.

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