My Christmas Traditions! // Blogmas Day 12

Now we’re really getting into the festivities. As the month wears on, and the Big Day looms nearer, even the most Grinchiest of us can get a little caught up in the Christmas Spirit. And, as I’ve been feeling unusually more festive than average this year, I thought I’d get all nostalgic, and share with you guys, some of my favourite personal Christmas traditions that I partake in…

1. Putting the Star on the Tree

This is one that has stemmed from the very depths of my childhood, right up until this year (and will beyond!). It has always, religiously, been my job to put the star on our main living-room Christmas tree.

That poor star is probably as old as me, and just as battered, but as an only child, there’s no fuss about who’s going to do what every Christmas in my family. I erect the tree (oo-er), Mum embellishes it, and I put the star on top. That’s just the way it goes. And Christmas has not officially started until that star is on top of the tree. It just hasn’t.

2. Advent Calendars

A vert popular tradition, but a tradition nonetheless. Every year, I’ll have an advent calendar. And it’s got to be chocolate. Those fancy beauty, candle, homeware, whatever they are advent calendars are cool and stuff… but they’re no match for a crappy, cheap-y chocolate advent calendar from Tescos, that you forget to open for a week. Ain’t nothing better. Here’s mine for this year (it came free in the Mail on Sunday (don’t ask, my mum gets it)):

Isn’t it just great?

3. Christmas at Connor’s

This one’s a fairly (actually very) new tradition, but one that I hope will stand the test of time for many years into the future.

Last year (2015), I was lucky enough to spend Christmas Eve with Connor’s family (Connor being my boyfriend, for those who don’t know). They are literally my second family, and I don’t know what I’d do without them sometimes. They have been so good to me, and letting me spend a special family-oriented day with them every year is just one of the reasons why I am so grateful. Last year was spent baking awesome Christmas goodies, talking a winter-y walk on the beach, and the longest ever game of Monopoly. But I wouldn’t change a moment of it, and I can’t wait to see what this year – and every year in the future – holds for that special day.

4. Christmas Eve Presents

So, after spending Christmas Eve with Connor and his lovely family, on Christmas Eve night, I go home to Mum and we chat, have tea, watch Christmas stuff on the telly, and then we have our own little cheeky tradition. We open one present each, just before bed.

It’s bad, I know, but we can’t help ourselves. And we always help each other out with what to open, if we know what the other has got. We both like to try and find something we can use that night, like a new pair of PJs, slippers, or a DVD to watch before bed. It’s just something we’ve always done, to get excited for the day ahead of us, and it’s something we’ve shared for as long as I can remember.

5. Santa’s Snacks

Then, as Christmas Eve draws to a close, and it’s almost time for bed, eyes are getting tired and we just can’t stay awake any more, Mum and I will start to set out Santa’s presents. It’s nothing big, but every year, we do exactly the same thing.

There’s the glass of milk and a plate with a mince pie or two for Santa on the dining room table, and by the door, a bowl of water and a plate with a carrot on for the reindeer that might wander in.

As childish as it is, it’s one of our most special traditions, and even last year (at the age of 17), we still did the whole rigmarole before going to bed. And then, when we wake up in the morning, the carrot is always bitten in half, the water drunk, the milk gone and just the foil wrapper of the mince pie left. And even now, at 18, I’m still going to walk downstairs and say “Wow! I can’t believe it’s gone!”, and my Mum is still going to smile and say “I know, he was hungry!”, and we’re going to carry on with Christmas Day, just like we always have.

There you go, guys! A bit more of a personal post today, but I hope you liked it! And I hope it’s maybe given you some nostalgia of your favourite Christmas traditions (let me know what they are in the comments!), and maybe to those who are starting families, given you some ideas of traditions to start with your own.

As a quick disclaimer: I’m aware that everyone celebrates differently, and that many do not celebrate at all. That is perfectly okay, and I hope you guys have a nice winter! As for those who do celebrate, but strictly religiously, I hope not to cause any offence with my traditions, and I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas.

Have a good evening guys, and see you tomorrow for the next day of blogmas!

Jess