Why wouldn't you love Christmas?!
Decorations, Food, Songs, Shopping, Clothes, Presents, The Tree, Santa, your Family!
That's just it...Same old decorations, too much bad stodgy food, annoying Christmas songs on repeat, horrible Christmas shoppers complaining, Expensive clothes (& not knowing what to wear!), Unwanted Presents, Tree needles everywhere, Being too old to sit on Santa's lap...and YOUR Family.
No, No, No! Make Christmas Merry - Not Cliché!
This year I am making it a mission to get more people to love Christmas, stop being so SCROOGE & I'm doing it all by taking a stand against horrible Christmas clichés!
Lets start with the 10 DON'Ts!
- Sexy Santa underwear.
Let's just get one thing straight: Santa is not sexy. He is a over-weight, hairy, old man - so let's stop pretending that red and white faux fur cobbled together scantly makes for good lingerie, because it doesn't. - Unwanted Present Number 1 - Bathroom bits (not the nice kind)
No matter what the Boots adverts tell you, Perfume and body oils are one thing...snazzy razors and deodorising box-sets are quite another. That pretty matching wash bag is fooling no one - unless I've asked for it SPECIFICALLY... you're saying I smell and I need to shave. Thanks. - Unwanted Present Number 2 -UGLY Christmas Jumpers
You can just about get away with them for Christmas day lunch, however come Boxing Day morning and they'll be banished to the back of the wardrobe until next Christmas.If they are Ugly however - they'll never be worn. NEVER. Not even for a Family Photo.
- Too much glitz and sparkle
Don't overdo the Jewellery - Never wise to look more ornamented than the Christmas Tree. In fact don't over ornament the Christmas tree. - Stuffing yourself more than you've stuffed the Turkey
Yes, there is a table FULL of gorgeous food. Yes, You may only get it at Christmas. No, you do not need to fill your plate to the brim and then waste half of it. Have smaller amounts of everything because you'll enjoy your day much more if you don't feel as thought you're about to explode. - Annoying Christmas songs on Repeat
There are some amazing Christmas songs, truly capturing the essence of Christmas. Why do people insist on 'All I want for Christmas are my 2 Front Teeth'... On Repeat. Once is more than enough. In Fact - don't even play it once. - Spoilt ChildrenI agree Christmas is more aimed at children than adults, but that doesn't mean the children become spoilt, ungrateful, and rude spawn from the devil just because. No. Instead I would like to suggest limiting what is bought for children and maybe slip a lump or 2 of Coal in their present pile...Tell them it was because they were naughty that time in town and ran off, stole sweets and screamed their head off, and the other time in the supermarket when they kicked and shouted and punched you until you bought them that doughnut. Hey as the song goes...'You better watch out
You better not cryBetter not poutI'm telling you whySanta Claus is coming to townHe's making a listAnd checking it twice;Gonna find out Who's naughty and niceSanta Claus is coming to townHe sees you when you're sleepingHe knows when you're awakeHe knows if you've been bad or goodSo be good for goodness sake!'
Just some food for thought.... - Christmas ShoppersUntil you've worked in retail, at Christmas, you have no idea how annoying Christmas shoppers are. Not all but maybe 85% of those who are out Christmas shopping are just plain irritating!
Don't get rude at the cashier because there isn't something you want to buy. It's your fault for not thinking ahead and getting in early. If they've done a great job say THANK YOU! The amount of times I ran around trying to help people with their Christmas presents only to have them walk off and start complaining...GRR you know what I can't even go on!
Basically - If you don't like waiting, Christmas music, being told 'No' or busy Shops...SHOP ONLINE! - Real Trees
They don't last much past Christmas day and you'll find the pine needles everywhere right up to Easter... I swear once I found them in my underwear drawer in July. They wreck your vacuum cleaner and you'll come down to random ornaments on the floor where the branches have fallen off.
Then you have the fun of trying to throw it away in the new year. Buy Fake and thank me later. - Your Family
Christmas has been the season of spreading good cheer, of spending time with your family and of sharing, caring and giving. Of love and compassion and of family bonding. However, it is not a surprise that a large number of people nowadays do not spend Christmas with their families. The vast majority of people do not spend Christmas with their family because they do not like doing it. And why do we not like doing it? Because it's stressful and hard work.
In stead of spending all day in your PJs, watching the Christmas Specials on TV and falling asleep at 4pm, you have to get dolled up, sit around pretending to enjoy yourself, smile and the previously mentioned spoilt children whilst resisting the urge to knock them out through the window.
My opinion is...Stay at home on Christmas Day and ENJOY YOURSELF. See your family in those few days between Boxing day and NYE when everyone is bored and has nothing to do.
OK So onto the DOs!
- Classy Christmas Jumpers.
Just because there are some completely disgusting Xmas jumpers on the high street doesn't mean you have to buy them. Instead opt for the classier version. Fair Isle to the rescue.
- Classic Christmas Movies.
White Christmas is literally one of THE best films. Period. - The Songs Everyone Loves to sing along to
There are a few very special Christmas songs that EVERYONE loves to sing...
Just to name but a few...
Fairytale of New York - The Pogues
All I Want For Christmas - Mariah Carey
Feed The World - Band Aid
Santa Baby - Eartha Kitt
I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
Last Christmas - Wham! - Find out other Christmas Traditions
I hate to break it to you all but Christmas isn't just celebrated here in the UK.
In fact it is celebrated over most of the world and there are a lot of traditions and beliefs that differ from ours and our State-side cousins.
Here are a few examples:
All Dutch children know that Sinterklaas or Sinterklass lives in Spain, where he spends his time recording the behaviour of all the children in his little red book, while Piet stocks up on the presents.
St. Nicholas is important in Greece as the patron saint of sailors. On Christmas Eve small boys, to the beating of drums and the tinkling of triangles, usually sing carols. They go from house to house and are given dried figs, almonds, walnuts and lots of sweets or sometimes small gifts.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. In December, the southern summer brings glorious days of sunshine that carry an irresistible invitation to the beaches, the rivers, and the shaded mountain slopes. Then the South African holiday season reaches its height. Many South Africans have a Christmas dinner in the open-air for their lunch. In the afternoon, families go out into the country and usually there are games or bathing in the warm sunshine, and then home in the cool of the evening.
- Try some new food
As well as all your favourites, why not try mixing things up and trying a different dessert or adding something new to the menu. It's only once and if you don't like it this year there is always next year...if you do then you may have found a new favourite! The Hairy Bikers Christmas Party is a great inspiration if you need some!
In honour of my lovely fiancé I challenge you faithful readers to try some Biltong before Christmas! I swear down I don't know how I coped for so long without it in my life. - Look Good - Feel Good!
It's so true what they say that when you look good - you feel good! Go on and get dolled up for dinner on Christmas day, even if you're straight back into your PJs afterwards. (Keep an eye out for my next few hair and make-up tutorials Ladies for some festive inspirations!) - Make Yourself Useful...
And make something useful, yourself!
After watching 'Kirsty's Vintage Christmas' I am thankful I have a Crafty nature because I really cannot wait to get covered in all sorts of messy craft goodies MAKING this Christmas wonderful!
So far I've knitted mini ski hats with my Family's initials in each one to pop over a chocolate for Christmas, as well as a few special things for some special friends of mine. There are other things you could make as well - Christmas cards, Thank you cards, Paper decorations, fabric decorations, wreaths, and if you're feeling brave...make your presents too! Honestly, your loved ones will love what you've made them because they knew you put in the effort! 
Try out a new fashion trend
Even for those on a budget or those who 'don't follow fashion'...POPPYCOCK!
Have a look on eBay or do a swap with a similar sized friend and be bold this year...
For me...it's TARTAN all the way. I have loved the print from afar for so long and this year I am plunging head first into it! What better time could there be to try out something that looks so Festive than at Christmas!
BE BOLD & BEAUTIFUL.- Spend time with friends
Talk about the year that has been, talk about the year coming have some drinks and delicious food and appreciate your friendship. You don't have to exchange gifts or cards, just knowing that person values all your effort is the best thing about Christmas. Don't forget to plan a completely insane night out for NYE while you're at it! - Your Family.
I know this was number 10 on the Don't list as well but lets face facts...some of us actually like spending time with our family.
But not family who don't BOTHER talking to you for the other 364 days of the year...
The family you talk to often and see for birthdays and share special occasions too.
Just make a little bit of a change this year to implement in the years that follow...
Christmas photos should be silly and spontaneous as well as posed. You can't capture what happened on the day if you're faking it the whole time.
It's not all about the children. If they are misbehaving - tell them off. Spoilt Kids makes everyone miserable and irritable.
Play some games, Keep the TV off!
Talk to each other!
How will you survive Christmas this year?!
Hailie
Hailie
xo
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