The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I'm very aware of the lack of festive content on my little blog this December.

I must confess, SWB has taken a little bit of a back seat - life, as usual, has been busy, and I've been concentrating more on not forcing myself to write content, and spending time with friends and family, soaking up winter and the pre-Christmas glow. I've also been having a little trouble blogging, with inspiration being hard to find and my confidence waning (perhaps something I may post more about in the next few weeks - I won't go into it now).

I'm not going to apologise - life is for living, and I am a firm believer in making the most of the little moments - I'm not going to say no to an evening with my friends watching Frozen and drinking mulled wine!

I just want to share my favourite things about the build up to Christmas. Christmas day is, of course, an amazing time, but I adore the few weeks running up to it. The preparation and excitement just can't be beaten, and this year has been no exception.

Christmas isn't just about one day - it's about the entire season!

So, without further ado, here are a few things which have been making me happy this yuletide:

• Hot mulled wine in my favourite mug.
• Spending an early Saturday morning curled up on the sofa in my pyjamas with frost outside, drinking tea and sitting with the Christmas tree lights on in the peace and quiet.
• Jamaican rum stollen from Aldi. The strongest (and most delicious) stollen I've had so far!
• She & Him's Christmas album. It's been playing on repeat all week, especially the Christmas Waltz. It's pure retro festive heaven, and I am addicted.
• Carefully co-ordinated Christmas wrapping. This year's theme is silver and green (a little bit Slytherin!) And all from Paperchase...naturally!

• Spending a day baking homemade mince pies, and successfully creating crumbly, buttery pastry from scratch. They didn't last long!

• Stocking up on tasty Christmas essentials to take home to eat with my family. Shortbread biscuits? Chocolate tree decorations? Amaretto flutes? Check, check, check!
• I can't wait to whip up some of Rosie's Hot-tails on Christmas eve! They sound like my ultimate festive treat!
• Using up my Lush festive treats in numerous hot baths and showers. I've already nearly run out of Hot Toddy...

• When else can you eat chocolate coins before breakfast, and feast on eight different types of cheese in front of the TV?
• Reading by candlelight.
• Snuggling under a blanket, all curled up on the sofa, watching good television. This year I watched It's a Wonderful Life as soon as I arrived home, and it was so incredibly cosy!
• Trying out all of the festive coffees at Starbucks and Costa. My favourites are Hot Spiced Apple, Black Forest Hot Chocolate and the Almond and Honey Hot Chocolate. Utterly delicious!

• Brass bands playing carols in the shadow of Winchester Cathedral.
• Waking up to classic Christmas tunes on my clock radio. Wizzard at 6.30am? The perfect start to the day!
• Toasting my toes by the open fire at home, watching classic Christmas films with my parents. Nothing says Christmas for me like peace with my family.
• Wrapping presents to perfection.

I could go on...but I'll leave it there for now!


I'm not sure I'll be posting much until 2015 now, so I just want to say have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope you have a wonderful time with family and friends - relax, enjoy the food, and cherish each moment! Here's to a fantastic year ahead - I can't wait to get back to blogging! Thank you so much for reading my blog during 2014.