The best things about the run up to Christmas 

December has to be one of my favourite months of the year because everything is so exciting and festive in the run up to Christmas.

Despite the fact the weather gets colder and a little bit grimmer, I love the festivities of the season and the activities that come part and parcel of preparing for the big day.

I wanted to share with you my favourite things of the season and why I love the run up to Christmas.

Advent Calendars

The beginning of the countdown starts with Advent calendars! What better way to tick off each day than with a festive treat either a beauty or a traditional chocolate. (This year I went with both, see my L’Occitane advent calendar post here)

Festive Baking

I bloody love baking gingerbread men as gingerbread is one of my favourite biscuits to both bake and eat (I love them super fluffy and thick) and the flavour always reminds me of Christmas time.

Christmas Markets

You can’t beat a festive evening strolling round a Christmas market to get you in the spirit! The sights and smells are just magical, not to mention the huge selection of lush comfort food, hot chocolate or mulled wine! They’re fab to do some unique and handmade gift buying too as well as cheeses and chutneys for the house which are always a must at Christmas time!

Outdoor Ice Skating

Usually linked with a Christmas market, but not always, there’s nothing more festive than skating around a beautifully lit Christmas tree wrapped up warm in scarves and gloves!

LUSH Christmas Collection

The most anticipated seasonal launch of the year, it isn’t Christmas without snow fairy! A visit to my local LUSH is a must when the season rolls around to pick out my fave products that year.

Buying and wrapping gifts

I absolutely love searching for gifts I know my loved ones will love, popping on a Christmas film and wrapping them all! I think wrapping is really fun and believe it or not I really enjoy doing it!

Cosy nights in

I love nothing more on a cold wintery night than getting cosy with fairy lights, candles, hot chocolate with lots of cream and festive treats. Jay and I make the nicest hot chocolates using melted chocolate and milk and they are soo good! (but so unhealthy!)

Festive candles

Christmas is my favourite time of the year for festive candle scents I buy soo many because I just want them all! B&M have been a favourite for me this year they do so many good priced candles that smell incredible!

Decorating the house and tree 

Done in the first weekend of December, this is one of my favourite parts about Christmas as I feel so festive when the house is donned with fairy lights and decorations. As you can see the rules in my house are there are no rules! I like my trees colourful and filled with baubals ive been collecting since I was little.
Christmas drinks

I was on a mission this year to try all of the festive hot chocolates and they did not disappoint! The fudge hot chocolate at Starbucks is a favourite up there with the orange hot chocolate from Costa. Has to be in a takeaway cup of course!

Christmas Films

I never feel fully festive until I’ve watched Elf! Hands down the most festive film I could literally watch it over and over again! Closely followed by Arthur Christmas (not pictured here as I left it at my Mums!). Love Actually and The Holiday are also faves!

So that’s my long list of favourite things about the run up to Christmas!

What are your favourite things about the festive season? I’d love to know below!

Thanks for reading ♥