It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Hello there my little snowflakes! 

Well, it's December 1st 2013! Can you believe it? Here we are yet again at, literally, the most wonderful time of the year. As I popped open the first box on my advent calendar this morning I couldn't help but feel simply blessed, oh, and not to mention extremely excited for Christmas!


The 1st day of a new month, for me anyway, always seems to bring about those reminiscing moments along with a multitude of appreciative thought. Christmas and the month of December is undoubtedly a very special time for everyone and, well, if you ask me, there really is no better time of the year to write a new post for you all than on the 1st day of the holiday season! It may not be snowing (yet), but it's certainly not decreasing any levels of my seasonal spirit! As I sit here with a cup of tea along with some gingerbread biscuits (yeah, the 'being healthy' malarky has went right out the window…oops!) keeping me company and not to mention the good old Michael Buble's Christmas album playing on iTunes  I'm absolutely bopping over with excitement that December is now officially upon us!  

So, seeing as my last '25 things' post went down a treat with you all along with the amount of positive feedback I received from it (thank you, by the way), I've decided to incorporate the theme into yet another entry for the blog. When I actually stopped and thought about it, it made perfect sense to do so. Christmas day is on December 25th (who would have knew?) and with this in mind, I could easily think of 25 exciting and wonderful things that I adore about this time of the year…seems legit enough, right?

Well, here we go once again guys and girls...25 things that I love about Christmas. Buckle up tight and hold onto your hats! 

1.) Christmas trees:

Okay so admittedly, an incredibly obvious starting point - whatever! Anyway, if you ask me, there is nothing quite like taking your Christmas tree out of its box or going to buy a new one if you don't do 'artificial', straightening out those branches, bringing down the decoration boxes from the attic and gathering around with the ones you love most to add on the tinsel, lights and ornaments. It's the perfect kickstart to anyone's holiday season! 

2.) There's a chance of snow: 

Let's just get real here, who doesn't dream of a white Christmas? Every year without fail people start saying 'oh you never know, we could have a white Christmas this year!' It's exciting and ultimately what helps to add to the good old festive spirit! Being in Stockholm you would of course, naturally expect snow every year, especially by now. However, as I previously said, it is yet to land upon us - watch this space! 

3.) Lights and Decorations:

There's nothing quite like seeing your village, town or city starting to take shape for the holiday period - christmas trees going up in front windows, lights on the trees, 'santa, please stop here signs' being placed on people's front lawns and so much more. Walking around and seeing big department stores beautifully decorated from head to toe, or the houses in your street lit up with fairy lights brings a smile to anyone's face. At Christmas, everything just glistens more. It's fabulous. Hashtag.

4.) Carols and music:

Jingle Bells, Let it snow, Winter Wonderland, Santa Baby, All I Want for Christmas Is You and all the others can't help but put a bounce in any Christmas shoppers' step! Like it or not ladies and gentleman, we ALL love to hate Christmas songs and anyone that says they don't is in complete denial. I for one just love them and at this time of year, this love is made all to obvious. Standard.

5.) It's an excuse to eat SO much food:

I always remember my dad saying to me when I was younger that 'Christmas day is the only time of year i'll allow you to eat that chocolate for your breakfast', and my god he was right. At Christmas, it appears that all of our 'socially acceptable' eating habits go completely out the window! You know what though? I personally love it! 

6.) Shopping and those good old Christmas sales:

Supermarkets, department stores and malls filled with their Christmas collection and the very best of what's on offer. Who could resist? Who doesn't get excited about a bargain?! Christmas sales always result in me spending an unjustifiable amount of money on things that, in reality, I don't really need. Oh dear. I think because it's Christmas it becomes the perfect justification for mass spending levels - works for me! Jättebra! 

7.) Excited children:

We were all young once, and if I remember correctly, my levels of excitement at Christmas were beyond amazing. I'm sure many of you can relate to this one! I can remember I would count down every day towards Santa's arrival down the chimney - it could never come quick enough. I would give so much to go back to those precious moments in my life, even just once more. When I see young children today feeling the same levels of excitement that I once did, it never fails to put a smile on my face and take me right back to those days in my childhood. Absolutely precious. 

8.) Mulled wine:

Now anyone that knows me, is well aware of my absolute adoration for wine! Well my darlings, mulled wine is no different. It's fabulous, try it. You won't regret it. Never mind christmas in a cup, it's christmas in a glass. 

9.) Advent calendars: 

There's nothing quite like popping open the 1st box on an Advent calendar, no matter your age! Young or old, it marks the 1st official day of a very exiting month ahead. It's a countdown, it's exciting, it's brilliant! Oh, and the little piece of chocolate inside is always a good time, right? 

10.) The holiday cheer:

Everyone loves Christmas, how can you not? Everything just seems better, feels better and well, is better! It's such a magical, special and important time of year. People walk around with smiles on their faces and spirit in their hearts. All the worries, stresses and every days issues instantly seem irrelevant, even if just for a little while. I love it, so much. 

11.) Christmas 'smells':

Call me crazy, but Christmas has a distinct smell! The candles, food, Christmas trees and much more. It's too good to resist. 

12.) Christmas cards:

We all give and receive cards at Christmas, even to those random neighbours 4 doors down that we know nothing about - it's still a nice thought though, right? To think that they put aside a few minutes to spread some of their holiday cheer onto you? I think that's something pretty special. 

13.) Mince pies: 

I know i've already mentioned food, but I personally feel that mince pies deserve a number all of their own! I'm absolutely obsessed with mince pies, without doubt my favourite thing to eat at Christmas - forget the turkey, it's all about the mince pies. I counted how many I had across Christmas day alone last year, I had twenty seven….no joke. Concerning? Most definitely. Do I care? Not one bit. 

14.) Stockings: 

Stockings are the cutest thing, especially when they're hung up the traditional way, that is to say, above a roaring Christmas fire! They look great, can hold a surprising amount and never fail to add that something special on Christmas morning. We not only have presents to open, but stockings to peep into and see what lies inside…eek!

15.) Ice skating: 

It seems that wherever possible, Ice rinks are added to the 'must do' list of December in a town or city during the run-up to Christmas! All those happy faces skating round in circles for hours on end, don't you just love it? Especially when someone has a minor stumble or two, simply hilarious. 

16.) Mistletoe: 

Is there any better excuse to bump into that 'special someone' than with a kiss (or two) under the mistletoe? Whoever it may be this year people, go for it! Christmas only comes around once a year after all. Remember what I said about yolo?

17.) Christmas wreaths: 

There's nothing that screams out good taste more than a beautiful wreath hanging on your front door during the festive period. It's the perfect 'welcome to our home' for your guests and not to mention, gives off a fabulous first impression of what lies inside. A wreath says so much and yet is so simple. Love it! 

18.) Gingerbread:

Whether in the form of a house, man or a snowflake, gingerbread is a must have in the month of December. It's the perfect addition to a warm cup of tea on those cosy, winter nights. 

19.) Time with the ones you love most: 

There is no better time than Christmas to surround yourself with your nearest and dearest. Family and friends, for me, are my absolute core and quite frankly, I couldn't live without them. Being around such amazing people at this time of year truly increases your levels of appreciation for them. It's priceless. 

20.) Building snowmen: 

Now of course, this is only relevant if a 'white Christmas' comes to be in your favour. Nevertheless, when it does happen, there's nothing quite like that feeling when you place the final touches onto your creative masterpiece! If any of you are like me, you take more excitement in placing the hat, scarf and gloves onto the snowman and making him look 'cute' rather than the actual building process. I never was good with my hands…go figure. Come on though people, after all the hard work of building the dude, he's gotta look good! Am I right or am I RIGHT? 

21.) Classic Christmas movies: 

Home Alone, Elf, The Grinch, Love Actually, The Polar Express, The Holiday, Miracle on 34th Street. You name them, i've watched them! I LOVE Christmas movies - nothing gets me in the mood more than by snuggling up in a blanket and having a complete Christmas movie marathon! It's nothing less than absolute perfection and the ultimate form of 'escape' at this time of year. 

22.) A time of giving:

Christmas truly seems to bring out the best in just about everybody. In my opinion, it's so important that we remember those a lot less fortunate than ourselves at such a time. It's unfortunately not a 'very merry Christmas' for everyone out there and by extending a hand backwards to someone worse off than ourselves, you're showing nothing less than love and care. Do it guys, come on. 

23.) The Christmas fashion: 

Red trousers, green jumpers and bobbly hats! I love Christmas style. As if I don't wear my red trousers enough throughout the year, Christmas and the month of December just gives me all the more excuse to wear them excessively! 'I'm getting in the mood' I always say. 

24.) Christmas jumpers: 

Again, this may come under the 'fashion' section, but lets be honest, Christmas jumpers really do deserve a number all of their own! Christmas jumpers, in my opinion anyway, are one of those things that we all need in our lives! Who wouldn't want one? They're so cool! Without a shadow of a doubt, strutting down the street rocking these crazy patterned, bright coloured, and chunky knitted seasonal jumpers never fails to put anyone in a spiffingly good mood!

25.) Going home:

Home is where the heart is, and if you ask me, there's never a truer saying. This is probably the most important part of Christmas for me this year, actually wait, scratch that, this IS the most important part of Christmas for me this year. Words cannot express my excitement to return home for yet another glorious, fun-filled Christmas with the family. To all you UK peeps (you know who you are) 16 days! Bring it on. 

So there it is folks, the 25 things that I love about Christmas. I hope it has brought as much joy to you as it has to me. Wherever you are and how old you may be, I hope that December sees you through times of joy, laughter, warmth and good health. If you ask me, "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear." 

Sing it loud everyone and don't forget to spread that Christmas cheer!

Oh, and by the way, I for one really am dreaming of a white Christmas.

Until next time.

L xo