I’m sure it was only a few months ago that the last festive season was here, but it’s come around again, and it’s safe to say that I’m just a little bit excited! Twinkly lights are lining the streets, Christmas songs are being played everywhere, it’s already taking an unreasonable amount of time to find a car parking space within a mile of any shop, and X Factor is almost over, which definitely means that Christmas is on its way.
We’ve got our thick snowflake covered winter duvet keeping us warm every night and the cheesy but totally cool Christmas jumpers, socks and underwear have made their way back into our daily wardrobes. I may not have bought a single present yet (unless you count picking out gifts for Mr Ayla to give me) but to me it already feels like Christmas.
If you’re not feeling quite so festive yet then hopefully my 5 favourite things about this wonderful season will have you feeling all twinkly and Christmassy too! And I’ve made them all into Christmas song lyrics just to be extra festive!
Baby, it’s cold outside
Cosy cafes, pubs with open fires or snuggled under the duvet at home. Wherever I am, warming up with a hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream is one of my favourite things to do in winter. Of course I’d prefer sunshine (who wouldn’t?!) but I live in London so that’s just not happening. Plus I’ve tried a Christmas abroad in India and that was just weird.
Even if it isn’t snowing, wrapping myself up in a big coat, fluffy scarf and woolly hat and venturing out into the cold always makes me feel festive. Although a white Christmas in London just once would be pretty special (please Santa please!).
Tis the season to be jolly
Despite the cold weather everyone is happier over the festive season. People eat more, drink more, sing more, dance more (probably due to the drinking) and celebrate more. If you’re one of the unfortunate people who has to go into work on those couple of days between Christmas and New Year, you may even get the odd cheerful smile from a stranger on the commute.
Everyone is happier. Even Scrooge can’t fail to be a little bit cheerful at Christmas time and my grumpy little hedgehog even plays along for the season too. Kind of.
She might look grumpy but I know she’s shining with Christmas joy inside
Santa Claus is coming to town
No, Christmas is not about Jesus – he wasn’t even born in December if you’re going to get technical. Christmas is about presents – and family of course (see my next point below) – but mainly presents 😉
I love waking up early on Christmas morning to see a big stocking crammed full of gifts at the end of the bed. I don’t even care that I haven’t lived at home with my mum for years or that there are no children around to give me a valid excuse to be a big kid; Santa still visits me and Mr Ayla every year. If you’re a grown up and you don’t get gifts from Santa anymore then you must be on the naughty list. Either that or you’ve stopped believing in magic. And I love that my inner child is still around. Me, Santa, Tinkerbell and Harry Potter are all very happy living in our fantasy world thank you.
Now Alex, erm I mean Santa, have you received my Christmas list yet?
I’ll be home for Christmas
Mr Ayla and I spent Christmas in India a couple of years ago which was as different as we could possibly get to the Christmas we’re used to at home. We had hot sunshine instead of winter snow, a camel ride instead of reindeer sleighs, and spicy curries instead of roast dinner.
I missed popping open the Prosecco and Baileys with my mum and aunt and not knowing which to drink first. I missed my nan and grandad negotiating how on earth we’re going to fit 16 people around the table. I missed being silly with my sister and cousins and I missed arguments over board games. Being without my family on Christmas Day just wasn’t the same. This Christmas, and every other Christmas, will definitely be spent with my crazy wonderful family.
Last but not least (and I couldn’t find an appropriate song lyric for these)…
Pigs in Blankets
No explanation needed ❤
*Drool*
What’s your favourite thing about the festive season? Let me know in the comments below or join in with this month’s travel link up!
Season’s greetings!
We have unwrapped another fun topic to hang on the tree (sorryI’mnotsorry): The festive season. Do you love it, hate it, put up with it, find yourself doing something unusual…? Anything goes.
Just pop your post up over the first week of the month (the 1st – 7th December), add it to the link up widget found on Kelly’s, Rebecca’s or Emma’s, or our twinkling guest host Ayla’s blog at Mrs Ayla’s Adventures from the 1st of the month.
There are no rules – basically all we ask is that you check out some of the other cool bloggers that are involved in that months travel link up; make a few comments here and there and tweet a few of the posts out to your followers that you think they will love. It’s a great way to meet some new travel bloggers and share some blogging joy!
Mama Ayla's Adventures 
Great post! Is that your hedgehog?:)
Yes! She’s a little cutie 🙂
Have a great Christmas lovely.
You too Angie xx
Loving these travel link ups. 2 things- do you really have a pet hedgehog? and where is that hot choc from? Great cream level there
Haha yes she’s our little cutie even if she is quite grumpy! The hot chocolate was in the New Forest last weekend. I would be tempted to drive all the way down there again just for another mug 😉
I will be in Mumbai over Christmas (I usually am) but am determined to make it as festive as possible 🙂 I have a round-up of festive favourites on the blog as well, and hot chocolate with marshmallows are high on my list of things to love about the season too – I loved Fortnum’s version at their pop up in Somerset House! xx
We were in Rajasthan but I’m sure Mumbai is a lot more festive than it was there! There were plenty of Christmas trees and twinkling lights up when we were in Mumbai shortly after Christmas Day. I may just have to give Fortnum’s hot choc a try 🙂
I’m going to Rajasthan (Jaipur) in a couple of weeks too – so excited! xx
Hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream sounds fabulous right about now, and then mulled wine later in the evening 🙂
crossinglemons.com
The perfect festive treats 🙂
I remember you and I having lovely hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream one of the times we met up on a winter’s day. Oh wait – I think it was a summer’s day!!! Ha! 😀 I know what you mean about it not feeling the same when family aren’t here and it’s not cold! I think that’s why I’ve never travelled over Christmas though camel rides and curries don’t sound half bad either!
Hot chocolate and marshmallows are acceptable any time of year 🙂
Well seeing as I am an Aussie I am used to Christmas in summer, but after having a white Christmas I think they are soo much better. Epic family selfie by the way 😉
Sun and Christmas just don’t go together for me so I’m glad you’ve come over to the Christmassy side! Haha I do love that family selfie! 🙂
Effie is NOT shining with Christmas joy. You know she hates happiness, and is the world’s biggest grump – why would you subject her to shiny happy things? 😀
I like to spread the Christmas joy everywhere even to the grumpiest of the grumps 🙂
Great post! Christmas is a big thing in our household – think we’re just as into it as our kids!!! It’s the joy of being with family and just enjoying each other’s company (and lots of food!).
Love seeing the kids faces when the decorations go up and when Father Christmas has been – it’s just such a magical time of year!!! Love it all!!! Merry Christmas to you Mrs Ayla!!! 😊🎅🏼🎄🎁xxx
Exactly! Christmas is magical no matter how old you are! Have a fabulous Christmas too 🙂
I could almost write an ode to pigs in blankets & family Christmas decisions…
I would love to hear that ode 🙂
Oh my goodness pigs in blankets…11 years living in England and still I can’t fathom why these things are so popular and they taste so wrong; haha!
Have a great christmas with your beautiful and crazy family and I hope Santa brings you everything of your wish list.
Merry Christmas
xx
Around the World in 80 Pairs of Shoes
WHAAAAAT?!?! How can you not like pigs in blankets Kelly?! Clearly you are not properly English yet 😉
Have a fabulous Christmas back home! xx
Best topic ever haha! I’ve been really getting into the Christmas season this year. I cannot believe you have a little hedgehog – SO cute!! Her little grumpy expression belongs on a meme!
Haha quite a few people tell me she should have her own Instagram account but I’m not sure she’d like me too much if I tried to do that!
Love the snow on your page! and your hedgehog is beyond cuteness! I can’t imaging being somewhere warm instead of cold at Christmas, it just wouldn’t seem right somehow!
The snow makes me feel so festive every time I look at the blog! A hot Christmas is an experience but it just doesn’t feel the same.
Wait…you have a HEDGEHOG?! Where on earth did you get her from!? I want one :O
C x | Lux Life
Haha she is pretty adorable! She’s an African Pygmy so she’s only the size of my hand. Got her from a breeder – they do make adorable little pets 🙂
Hehe love it. Family is definitely what it’s all about – but the snuggling up and pressies are fun too!
Everything about it is fun! 🙂