BLOGMAS Day 15- My Christmas Traditions

It's getting closer and closer to the big day that we've all been waiting for ever so patiently. Me and my family are starting to do more festive activities and are getting into the giddy Christmassy mood. Every family celebrates Christmas in a different way and has their own traditions, I find it so intriguing to see other peoples ways of celebrating the holidays. So I thought I would share with you some of mine and my families Christmas traditions...

1) Every 1st of December we put the Xmas tree up (this year was an exception to being late). We always get up super early, get dressed - normally wearing some cheesy Christmas clothing, and put all the decorations up. Whilst doing so we blast out all the festive tunes and have a silly sing and dance a long. It normally takes us until evening to finish putting everything up as, well we're perfectionists, and we have that much stuff that we've collected over the years.

2) On Christmas Eve we all sit down to fill our bellies with some gammon, for some reason my mum has always cooked this every 24th of December. We then wash it down with our favourite drinks (eggnog, j2os, shandys, slhlur, I'm not a big fan of alcohol hence the soft drinks haha), whilst wrapping the left over presents and getting them all set up nicely for my niece and nephew.

3) Also on Christmas Eve we prepare all the dinner for the next day. We chop, slice and dice all the vegetables and get them sat in pans ready. It sounds really daft but it's such good fun and it makes you so excited knowing what feast you're going to be enjoying the next day with all your family.

4) Normally on Christmas morning we all travel to my nannans where we meet the rest of my family there. It's such a great tradition as it's very rare all the family gets together throughout the year, and most of all it's such a warm feeling seeing a genuine smile on my 81 year old nannans face.

5) This is a bit of a morbid one, sorryyyyy... On the 24th we take time out of our day to go and purchase a wreath and a mini Christmas tree and then visit my grandad and nephews grave. We decorate the headstone all festive for them and just spend a bit of time with them. It's nice to involve and remember those who can't be with us on this special occasion. 

6) Normally around the 23rd a Santa on a sleigh rides around our streets blasting Christmas songs out and he comes and visits all the children in our area. It's so great seeing my niece and nephew get all excited to see Santa, but what's more great is that some kind generous people actually spend time and money organising this for the local kiddies. We all get wrapped up really warm, wait outside and give Santa a big wave as he's driving past. It's such fun joining in with the little ones as it makes this time of year that bit more magical.

So there you have it, there's a few of my favourite Christmas family traditions, it might not sound much to you but it's what makes my Christmas so special to me. It's not about the presents or the money giving, it's about spending time making memories with your loved ones. It's not very often we all get to spend time with eachother so you have to make the most of what you've got even if it is just for one day. 

Eeeeek just talking about it gets me all excited!!! I'm out for the night, ciao for now.

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 14- The Elf On The Shelf

Christmas traditions are what makes this time of year so special. Each and every household has their own way of celebrating the holidays, whether it be putting the tree up 12 days before christmas, baking a gingerbread house, drinking eggnog round the fire or simply leaving out mince pies and carrots for santa on xmas eve. But i've noticed a new tradition that's becoming quite popular here in the UK, it's known as "the elf on the shelf". If you haven't heard of this its where an elf is sent from the North Pole to keep an eye on the kiddies to then report back to Santa every night. As the elf returns he/she will move to a different spot in the house to make the children believe they are real. Of course this elf is just a teddy and the parents are the puppeteers. But what's so great about all of this is that the parents are adding a little creativity to this by making the elf get up to all different kinds of antics everynight, some say its getting out of hand now but others (including me) think it's a great idea to bring a bit of magic and belief for the young ones. Theres this page on facebook called "Elf Adventures" and its such good fun looking through all the photos that parents have sent in, i've had a good giggle at them all and i wanted to share the laughs with all of you too. I'm adding my favourite photos but i will leave the link at the end of the post to the facebook page so you can go have a look yourself. Enjoy!

Elvis took a coke break

Jingle Bell couldn't resist a midnight feast

Danny the elf creating snow angels in flour, naughty 

Cheeky elfs getting a bit carried away with the photocopier

Gone fishing

This is my niece and nephews friend Elfie Jingles, he came through the secret door from the North Pole with Santas key. So magical seeing their little faces light up!

Its not as fun at christmas when you're older, it becomes more stressful than anything by trying to get everything organised for the day, so by doing things like this it brings a bit of joy for the parents. Whats your favourite christmas traditions? 

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 12- Its Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

I wish it could be Christmas everyday *Add music notes here*. Its starting to feel a bit more like Christmas now that the decorations are finally up. My mum and dad decided to Re-decorate the whole downstairs of our house just before christmas which meant we werent able to put up the christmas tree. We normally turn our house into Santas Grotto on the 1st of December and i was getting very grouchy that we werent able to do that this year, but its all good now, im surrounded by xmas decor and im starting to feel funky and festive! 

We no longer have a fireplace, wait hows Santa going to deliver my presents now?... but anyway due to that we have less places to put all our ornaments on so unfortunately we haven't got as many christmas decorations out this year, boohoo. Rather than trying to explain everything thats in our house i am going to simply show you in a few photos. Enjoy.

 I love these three, the funny thing is that their leg lengths can be altered, you can have them stood tall like they are now or you can have them really short to the ground.

 This light up present under the tree is new this year i think it was from poundstretchers for about ten pounds, what a bargain. It looks so cute sitting under the tree.

 This our 6ft white christmas tree lit up with yellow twinkling lights and decorated with pink, blue and green assorted baubles. We have teardrop shaped ones, snowflakes and stars, as well as some in glitter, stripes or metallic effect. Then to top it off we have a big glittery silver star above.

 I love this chimney clock, the santa figurine swings inside it thats why he's a bit blur in the photo. When it strikes every hour it plays a cute little christmas tune. The chimney countdown next to the clock is something we've had years, everyday you take out one of the sticks until santa ends up at the bottom of the chimney on Christmas eve.

 Another new purchase is this cute little sign. We bought this from our local hospital in the flower shop. Its very vintage looking but also simple and festive.

Here we have another countdown, you simply just change the blocks around to fit how many days it is until christmas day. The star should light up but we don't have any batteries that work for it:-(

Like i said we don't have LOADS of decorations up like usual but i love how subtle it looks and how they all compliment each other nicely. Im so so so excited to put presents under the tree and to get that santa at the bottom of the chimney. Please do send some photos of your decorations i would love to know how you all celebrate christmas. Until next time, bye.

Misskeeleah

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BLOGMAS Day 1- The Countdown Begins & November Favourites

HAPPY 1ST OF DECEMBER GUYS! The countdown to Christmas has officially begun and boy am i so excited to begin the holiday traditions. It literally is "the most wonderful time of the year", your geeses are laying and your lords are leaping. Only 24 days to go and so much to do, the decorations need putting up, presents need buying, so much present wrapping, family visits to make and well theres always time to get some baking in there too. So today as i woke up i followed my first tradition... opening my advent calendar, oh how ive missed you. Me and my dog Missy opened our advent calendars together and enjoyed a very tasty treat (Yes we have bought my dog an advent calendar because were such great owners!)...(and shes very greedy!). Ive got a thorntons one which is my favourite, because who doesnt love thorntons chocolate? im very excited because it counts all the way to the 25th AND on christmas day i get an extra big chocolate, wooh. Would you believe me if i told you i was 19?... dont answer that.

Okay so theres a few photos from this morning of my calendar and Missy receiving hers, she loved it bless her! Anyway now onto, drum roll please.......... NOVEMBER FAVOURITES!

My first favourite is these Olaf slipper socks. When in Blackpool last week we did some shopping and i found these little beauties in Primark. I totally fell in love with them as theyre so cute and comfortable AND they match my pjs which are in my October favourites. I think they were only £4 which is an added bonus. Who cant resist Disney character clothing? 

My mum has been buying a lot of these scented diffuser thingys lately as we had a very bad, and dangerous, incident with a candle not long ago so we no longer allow them in our house. Anyway she has about three of these in the house at the minute but this one is my favourite as its a christmas one! It smells gorgeous, its like the traditional cinamonny, orangey scent, its like christmas in a bottle. I think its from the Avon catalogue as well, thats where my mum spends most of her money around christmas time as i must admit they do bring out some good things. 

The temperature has rapidly dropped here in England and so ive had the chance to finally start wearing my new coat. Its the black faux fur trim parka jacket from River Island. It did cost me £115 but it was totally worth it as it is sooooooo warm. Its literally like being wrapped in a furry blanket all the time. The fur trim is optional, you can remove it as its only held on by a few buttons, but i would definitely recommend you keep it on as i think the faux fur trim makes the look of the coat. The only annoying thing about this coat is the buckles on the arms, the left one on mine keeps coming undone and its a pain to keep fastening it every two minutes, if you dont fasten it it just kind of dangles, constantly hitting your arm and jingles when you move, but other than that i love love LOVE this coat. (Oh by the way i have taken these photos off the actual River Island website as i just couldnt get a good one of me wearing it, apologies)

This is a bit random and many of you might not understand as to why ive added this in my favourites but today i have been out and bought a cute little rug for my room. Its a little pink round one and ive placed it infront of my chair and footpuff. Just for records im not like a little old lady with an arm chair in her room, i was offered it off a family member, its reclining and massages you so how could i turn it down? plus its where i sit and work magic for my blog. Anyway ive been revamping my room and trying to make it look and feel more cosy so when i saw this in B&Q i had to have it. Was only £9 what a bargain!

eleah

So theres my November favourites and day 1 of blogmas, i hope you enjoyed it as much as i did. Cant wait to see what this month brings and i especially cant wait to be posting on my blog everyday! Seeyou tomorrow for day 2, ho ho ho. 

Misskeeleah

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