This song is weighted by meaning and messages which we should take care to carry with us throughout this season. It’s so important to be thankful for all we have – not just the gifts we may receive but the people we have in our lives.
Christmas often makes it easy to forget that there are so many less fortunate than us and we may forget that this is a time to thank whoever you see fit and aim to do all we can to help others.
Over the years Christmas has become more and more focused on the profit that can be made from it and its easy to forget about the little things that make it so special and the many ways it can bring us together.
With Christmas lights comes the light switch on. A time to gather together, standing side by side hundreds, maybe thousands of people you’ve never met and yet you all call the same place home. It’s a countdown to remember, the decent from 10 to 1 symbolising the nearing of Christmas eve, the celebration of the year past and the year to come.
As the town becomes alight, dressed in Christmas spirit it’s time to take a moment to appreciate the community that surrounds you. To see the unity that Christmas brings, as strangers stand among each other and celebrate one thing in common.
It’s simple, festive bliss.
With the town newly aglow we greet Christmas Chateaus, Filled to the brim with Christmas regalia from far and wide. We give money to small businesses and show our support trusting in the fact that our money is going straight to the hands of those whom deserve it.
In true Christmas spirit, we give.
At this time of year, we think about that big red suit, but friends and family too. We take time to share moments with those we’ve yet to meet and against all odds share a single thing in common and smile. We smile at the sweet scent of Christmas that lingers in the air, all bitter words and saddening events lay behind us as the year progresses. We move forward with the changing times, we find hope in the jingle bells and laughter in personal traditions. Christmas brings much more than gifts and material things,
It can be very easy, at this time of year, to go a little overboard and suddenly realise that you’ve blown your winter budget. We get so caught up in the adverts coxing us into showing our love through gifting that it becomes nearly impossible to pull ourselves away from our keyboards or local high-street.
For this very reason I wanted to pull together a little list of my favourite websites for gifts with a smaller price tag, and ideas, which can be found via the high-street.
I use all of these websites religiously ever year. Prezzy and FireBox are great for novelty gifts and secret Santa. They have a great selection of smaller, quirky presents perfect for people you don’t know very well or simply aren’t sure what to buy for.
I came across ‘I want on of those’ this year and have recommended it countless times already. Here you can find the perfect stocking stuffers and neat gadgets to suit every kind of person. From astronaut food to StarWars shot glasses it has it all.
Getting personal is the hub of personalised presents. You can have your name or someone else’s put on just about everything. It makes every gift more thoughtful and at a price that doesn’t break the bank!
HIGH-STREET:
Although at this time of year the world of retail and e-commerce makes a great deal of money it’s always good, when you can, to return to the high-street and support your local stores. Good ways of doing this is keeping creative at Christmas:
‘Reasons why’ Jars: this simple idea comes at very little cost but the thought goes an extremely long way. You can find everything you need in any town or city centre. Go on the hunt for the perfect mason jar, colourful car/paper and any other decorations you may want.
‘Open when’ letters: these, like the jars, are incredibly inexpensive and can last all year if you want them too. They are easily tailored to any friend/family member and uses much more time than money but the final product is so worth it.
Mini Bar cart: these are a little more expensive if you are looking for small bottles of liqueur however over all cost considerably less than alternatives. You can find most alcoholic mini’s in local superstores or even shops such as boots at this time of year. Then all you need is their favourite mixer, a jar to put it in and you’re set!
Cosy Night in: for those who don’t like drinking, you can use a similar concept but with a cute mug, some fluffy socks, a sachet of hot chocolate and a snack. The perfect gift for the winter season.
There are so many, thoughtful, gift alternatives perfect for everyone. So try not to fall into the pressure of having to spend large amounts of money to show your love or appreciation.
This time of year is for spending time together, not money.
There is nothing better than air kissed with the scent of mulled wine and the soft glow of fairy lights that illuminate the square. Things only to be found at the very best Christmas Markets.
Simply Everything
At this very festive time of year, the most spirited of us tend to seek out all things Christmas related and this post will cover just that. Highlighting all of the most popular Christmas Markets in the UK, which would, most definitely, be worth a visit this month.
B a t h :
This market, built upon the historic Georgian cobbled streets, entertains 150 chalets to meet all of your festive needs. With so many stalls to see and a historic town to explore its the perfect day trip waiting to be happen this month. I actually explored this market for the first time this year and is was as picturesque as I had imagined however if you take only one thing away from this post:
Prepare for the crowds
Pre-book somewhere for lunch and/or dinner
Wear comfy shoes and wrap up warm !
W i n c h e s t e r :
Winchester is best known for its stunning cathedral all year round, however at this time it also hosts the annual market. Like Bath, it is the perfect opportunity to explore somewhere new whilst ticking the market the bucket list. With an iceskating venue for all to enjoy it’s right at the heart of Christmas.
I am yet to explore this market, if any of you have been please share your festive experience in the comment section bellow!
E d i n b u r g h :
Although this is a bit of a venture out, the market in Edinburgh is well renowned for its beautiful landscape and the prime location of the market. Popular attractions such as the Christmas tree maze put market at the very top of many people lists. It’s definitely somewhere I plan to go in the near future.
B i r m i n g h a m :
Being such a huge city its Christmas market has to mirror its expanse, calling itself ‘the largest authentic German Christmas market outside of Germany or Austria’ leaves other markets with pretty big shoes to fill. Offering a large selection of snacks, gifts and family orientated experiences it would make the perfect weekend. This city has so much to offer beyond its Christmas market, and what better time to see it than when its light by twinkle lights in December.
G l a s g o w :
Glasgow offers something a little more diverse and special at Christmas time, running multiple markets at once. There is:
George square Christmas market
St Enoch square Christmas market
Country living fair
And so many other smaller independent markets which are waiting to be explored.
Travelling a distance to visit a well renowned Christmas market may seem a little extravagant but knowing that there is so much on offer; so much to experience makes the decision a simple one.
We all have those people in our lives who just don’t understand the Christmas hype and try their very best to avoid it entirely. When you are the complete opposite and still feel the need to include them in the festivities it can be incredibly hard to know what they would like.
I have found, after much trial and error, that the best way to please a grinch is to thaw their heart with mush. Pure, emotional, heart-to-heart mush. It is the only way to get their heart to grow two sizes in time for Christmas day.
After all, who can say no to something personal?
o p e n w h e n – these letters are tailored to the person you are gifting them too. It does require you to know them well enough to understand when these letters would be most useful. The letters can be about anything; with any aim. Whether it be to make the person smile, to pick them up or to give them something to do when they feel bored. This is an easy, cost-effective gift which isn’t Christmas related so the Grinch you are gifting it to cannot complain too much.
n o t h i n g – at first glance this might be a little strange but there is such a gift as ‘the gift of nothing’. Quite simply its a comical present for those who cannot come up with anything they want and would double up as the perfect present for someone who isn’t keen on Christmas
a d v e n t u r e – planning a day out such as a picnic, mini golf, bowling, iceskating might appeal more to a grinch. As the gift giver you feel that you are fulfilling the Christmas need to give but the receiver is simply presented a fun day out. It’s a great opportunity to make memories for the both of you regardless of your differences.
t o k e n s – these tend to be a hit with everyone. You can make them as personal or impersonal as you want and have fun with them too. They are inexpensive but still mean a lot to the person receiving them, it’s practically giving them a book of I.O.U’s. And who would turn down an opportunity like that?
y o u d a y – plan a you day for the person. If Christmas isn’t their thing it would be nice to give them a day to enjoy entirely and you can make that happen. Whether it’s a movie day binge watching their favourite films, or a walk along the beach the thought will mean the world. It will give them something to look forward to in the same way you look forward to Christmas.
The list of gifts for grinches are truly endless however many of them have to be more specific to your grinch. These are just some generic ones I could think of which would work for many! Hopefully some of these work you for and your grinches this Christmas season.
This post will be perfect for all of my fellow list lovers, and to those who need to plan everything down to a T.
I am forever making lists in day-to-day life, let alone when the Christmas season is upon us.
December is a busy month for everyone; there’s so much to think about and even more to do. We have to consider people, presents, parties, trips, food and of course we have to budget for all of this!
With so much going on it only makes sense that we write it all down, it’s the best way to clearly visualise what you have to juggle and the timescale you have to do it all in. I want to share with you my favourite festive planner to help you along the way.
t h e p l a n n e r :
This planner has absolutely everything. You can organised your messy thoughts into this beautiful book and be ready in no time. In previous years I have left To Do lists lying around all over the shop and this has enabled me to keep everything Christmas related in one place!
One of my favourite things about this is the receipt pocket. A simple idea perhaps but it means that for all of those ‘risk’ gifts you can keep the gift receipts in one place and not have a last minute panic when the receiver needs a different size or style.
Other than doing all of the organising work for you, it’s a lovely thing to keep and look back on. What starts off as a method of organisation soon turns into a shrine of Christmas 2019. It’s a brilliant way to look back over how you celebrated that year; what gifts you bought, who you wrote a cards for, what recipes you used, and of course the dreaded fact of how much you spent.
If, however, this isn’t your thing there are so many other ways to take the stress out of planning without buying this book.
a l t e r n a t i v e s :
Use a A4 ring binder and clear plastic wallets to keep all of the things you need: To do lists, cards, present tags, gift receipts etc.
Buy a fresh To Do list booklet with tear off pages, these are great to keep all of your lists in one place but also give you the ability to remove the completed ones.
Utilise your phone, most smartphones come with a ‘notes’ section and if not there are so many free apps you can download. Use these to generate your lists, and store all the information you need. Myself and my partner use our phones to keep a running Christmas tally so we know how many gifts we have bought each person.
Use your calendar, set yourself targets and tasks to complete each day. This will help reduce the stress and last minute rush but also enable you to set a strict budget, perfect for students, those with lower income and people who get a little bit spend crazy.
Planning ahead reduces the seasons stress massively, so finding a way that works for you and your lifestyle is crucial. I hope some of these methods help those of you with big Christmas plans ahead.
S i m p l y E v e r y t h i n g ‘ s W i n t e r W a r d r o b e 2 0 1 9
Happy Blogmas Day 4!
This post will cover my winter wardrobe staples; the tried and tested loves for the winter season and specific bits I have purchased this year.
I, personally, find posts like these so helpful specifically when it comes to figuring out my own style for the season so I hope it can help a few of you too.
Those of you who also live in the UK will know just how tricky it can be to plan for our unpredictable weather, and so planning ahead doesn’t always work. Sometimes its just best to have some sturdy shoes; your favourite jeans, a jumper and that staple scarf that goes with everything. Keep gloves and a brolly in the bag and you will be ready to take on the world.
t h e s t a p l e s :
S c a r f s
In the winter scarfs are a must-have for me, I typically stick to buying ones that can work with any outfit. This makes for a practical purchase but also something I know will look good; and as a result make me feel good.
j u m p e r + b o o t s
Dressing for winter is easy! You can throw on a chunky cable knit and some cute boots and be on your way. When your surroundings are muted by the weather a warm colour palette goes a long way, so play around with oranges and burgundies. Experiment!
s h o e s
If you are anything like me, and aren’t overly keen on boots at any time of year just know that you can still wear trainers. Aim for thick soles and a waterproof coating. You still want to be to be able to keep your feet warm and dry. This doesn’t have to cost a lot either, these were from Primark £8
s o c k s
Now, this won’t be a must for everyone but I l o v e socks. When the festive season rolls around I just have to purchase some equally as festive. My ones for this year are simple trainer socks with Elf all over them. If you haven’t seen the film put it on the top of your December ‘To Do list’.
Wrap up warm and have fun with your wardrobe this season!
In this post I am throwing it right back to 2011 instagram when everyone was doing the monthly photo challenges. To be honest as someone who
l o v e s
photography I don’t really see why these ever stopped. But here I am creating my own ’12 days of Christmas’ photo challenge to share small snippets of my festivities.
If you loved these challenges like I used to feel free to use the titles I have to create your own twelve days and share them! I would love to see, what you all come up with and what your December looks like.
t h e t i t l e s :
The world on the first of December
Merry
Something sweet
Green
Tradition
Scarf
Bright
Joy is…
Family
Rest
Warmth
All wrapped up
Heres what my world looked like on the First of December:
Look out for an upcoming post where I will share my finished collection.
A key factor in the countdown to Christmas includes the way which we actually countdown, and for many this is via an advent calendar. The market for advent changes every year, bringing out new wild and wonderful ways to treat yourself as December flies by.
Historically, the only calendar available to the masses would be a picture one. It would be an A4 piece of cardboard where every window depicted a crucial part in the nativity scene. Today however we see so many variations made to fit the diverse world within which we live. Religion, for many, is no longer the heart of their Christmas and so they look for alternatives to celebrate the countdown.
Advent has become a crucial part of our Christmas traditions and I wanted to make a post shedding some light on the popular advent calendars of 2019 and some alternatives to make a loved ones advent that little bit more special.
p a m p e r y o u r s e l f :
Lush and The Body Shop are incredibly well known for their popular advent calendars and both receive high volumes of attention when they are released. I am writing this post in September and the Lush calendar has already sold out online!
Both of these products are marketed at an audience who look for something luxury, and these calendars definitely fit the bill. They offer a product a day to enable you to simply treat yourself on the run up to Christmas. Many consider these to be great value for money considering the quality of gift awaiting behind each door.
The Rituals calendar is marketed as ‘the gift of slowing down’ just highlighting what kind of audience it wants to pull, and what you are buying into. Your are buying into the best gift money can buy… time.
t r e a t y o u r s e l f :
We all love a treat, especially at Christmas time and these calendars are a little bit more special than your average Dairy Milk… not that theres anything wrong with a Cadbury calendar (they are my favourite).
These foodie calendars are perfect for that one person we all know who just couldn’t live without that one snack. You can bring someone the joy of having their favourite thing everyday as they await Christmas day. The Snuffling Pig company is a favourite of my partners, so an entire calendar stuffed with crackling is perfect.
For those of us who simply cannot face the day, no matter the time of year, without coffee the beanies calendar is ideal. Each day you get a taste of a different seasonal flavour bringing the festivities to your mug every morning. The best way to start a wintery day.
f o r t h e b o y s :
Buying advent calendars for husbands, boyfriends, brothers and friends who aren’t chocolate mad can be a bit tricky. These calendars are just a few of the alternatives which could work for the tricky person in your life.
The ASOS grooming calendar is a slightly more expensive option but it contains great products which all men can use in day-to-day life past the Christmas season.
A fragrance calendar is always a hit, and this one by Groupon is a bargain.
Similarly, the pub crawl calendar adds a cheeky twist to the conventional chocolate advent and comes at a mid-range price; ideal for those who like boozy treats.
f o r t h e l i t t l e o n e s :
These calendars are great chocolate alternatives and keep the little people at bay whilst they wait for Santa. The countdown is filled with anticipation and great levels of excitement for kids and having an advent which has a toy behind each door keeps it somewhat preserved; giving parents a well deserved break for a little while.
g e t p e r s o n a l :
So, beyond the limitations of chocolate and expensive beauty advents there are endless options for more personal alternatives.
This year for example, I am hosting an advent treasure hunt for my boyfriend for ’12 days of advent’. Those twelve days allow me to gather more personal advent gifts, tailored to my partner specifically. This works perfectly for those in your life who aren’t crazy about the Christmas season or the conventional themes that come with it. Or perhaps theres just someone who you want to go the extra mile for.
Not only can this be incredibly meaningful you can also use it so save a lot of money, especially if you were looking at some of the more pricey advents above. You can collect little bits and bats here and there over the months coming up to December to prepare and budget and still have a lovely advent.
o t h e r i d e a s :
12/24 days of gifts
24 letters (‘open when’ letters, reasons why I love you etc.)
12/24 days of scratch cards
Personalised chocolate advent
24 days of hopes/wishes/goals for the new year
12 days of memories (plans, days out, theatre trips, winter wonderland, nights away, festive garden centre trips etc.)
Disregarding all of these, some of us simply prefer something a little toned down and nothing works better for this than a traditional advent candle. These are a great way to bring the family together at dinner time, to light and let the advent candle burn whilst you eat. It’s such an inclusive way to see Christmas in.
Whichever way you celebrate the countdown to Christmas enjoy the festivities and all that comes with it.
At a time of year where the mornings and nights are dressed in darkness, the world, itself, has never been so light. This is the true definition of magic.
Simply Everything
Happy December first everyone.
We have finally made it to my very favourite time of year and I could not be more excited. For many years I have watched and read everyone else’s Christmas content and now I finally get to share my own.
For me, there could not be a better time to focus my writing on one particular topic than that of December and all that comes with it. This season inspires every inch of my creative being, and the lists of awaiting festive content are endless.
w h a t t o e x p e c t :
Festive titles,
Personalised artwork/photography for each post, taken with the titles in mind
Uploads from today (the first) all the way until -and including- Christmas day.
Topics covered such as:
Gifts for Grinches,
Winter wardrobe/look-books,
a guide to Christmas eve boxes
and so many more.
I hope that somewhere along the way you will find a post that successfully captures what Christmas means to you and makes you feel even a fraction of the festivities that I do.
Regardless of all of that, I hope you all have an incredible countdown to Christmas.
Thank you all for taking the time to read and support my blog this year, it means the absolute world.
Hello you, it has been a little while since i’ve uploaded anything…
I put the lack of content down to: planning for blogmas, Christmas prep, work and
Semester one – Year two.
Previously, I posted about my university experience from the perspective of a first year, and now as I am crawling to the end of my first semester as a second year I thought i’d do a similar kind of thing.
So, at this point in time I could not relate more to a gif if I tried. It is true when they say “second year is no joke”. Not that, in any way, the is first year all for the ‘sh*ts and giggles’ but once you enter the second year of university things just change.
Pace: get your running shoes on because you are about to hit the ground running. There is no settling in period so be ready to go. Find your own rhythm, as hard as it may seem you need to take on university in your own way. Give it time…
Plan: scheduling and planning ahead is always a great idea but this is especially vital now. So gather your upcoming assignment deadlines and plan your attack.
Time: most students have to study, revise and work too so try your best to prioritise. We all need to juggle our time differently but the sooner you do it the better.
You do you: It’s easy to get swept up in other peoples agendas and to feel like you aren’t doing it right because you’re not doing exactly what they are. Whether this is study/revision specific or extra-curricular and lifestyle. Regardless of whatever else you are prioritising make sure your best interests are at the top of every list.
Unwind: when it feels like you are running at 100mph its time to slow down and theres always time for it… those who think they don’t have time are either over-working or over-scheduling. Give yourself time to unwind. It’s important.
simplyeverything.home.blog 