6 Reasons Why Christmas Is The Best Time Of Year.
I mean I don't wish it was Christmas every day like the song says but it certainly is the best time of the year isn't it? For me it's more about the build up, the festive period, maybe the whole month of December than the actual day itself. It's the excitement, the preparation, the hint of Christmas spirit. It's the carols everywhere, the really cold sunny days, doing your shopping, wearing your gloves to de ice the car..... it really is the whole season of it.
So here's 6 reasons why for me, Christmas is the best time of the year.
1. The excuse to stay home.
Don't get me wrong, I always get to about May and start harping on about sunny drives with the windows down and sunglasses and BBQs on the beach when the sun is going down but there really is nothing like cosying up inside in the winter is there? I think Christmas gives us the perfect mix as it's one of the most sociable months of the year, yet the 'nah I'm just staying home tonight' is perfectly accepted too. To pop the fire on, get something yummy and carb filled in the oven and snuggle down on the sofa with a boxset and a blanket or three is just absolute bliss.
2. The lights.
From your whacky neighbours who turn their house into an airport landing strip to your local town switch on to your own porch - Christmas lights are everywhere this time of year. Sure you might keep a string of fairy lights up in the house all year round but it's never anything like this is it. Our parents always used to drive us through two local towns to see the Christmas lights every week of December after visiting my Nan and it's a tradition my brother has started with his family. This is the perfect time of year to be welcomed home by twinkling lights on the outside of your house, and the only time of year the first thing you do when you wake up is creep downstairs to light up the tree.
3. The food.
Cheese boards, mince pies, chocolate, turkey, after eights, big ass sharing bowls of crisps and alcohol with everything - tis truly the season to indulge. Ok so maybe it's not your thing and yes maybe we regret it come January and vow new me new year and get that gym membership we won't use again but for the few weeks around Christmas, food really is everything. Every family has their own tradition and at home with my parents ours has always revolved around turkey with everything, a big bottle of Lilt (the only time of year we drink it, anyone else?) and a big box of chocolates on New Year. Now I live with Joss we're starting our own traditions including the things we love most and we are very much here for the party food diet.
4. Presents.
Whether you've circled the Argos catalogue and are excited to get your goodies or whether you're excited to give, there's no denying Christmas is all about the presents. They can be big, they can be little, they can be cheap, they can cost an arm and a leg, there can be millions or there can be that one special one but whatever they are, they'll be gratefully received. I love picking out gifts for people and whilst I'm normally done by October I actually really enjoyed the fact we'd been too busy to buy and we did it all in one day. My bank balance wasn't so keen but you can't have it all I guess.
5. Tradition.
Each family has a tradition of their own that makes this time of year special to them. Maybe like me in the past few years your life has changed, your family dynamic has changed, you've moved in with your other half and you're creating your own new traditions too. There is something about the month of December that's familiar, like an old friend that comes round once a year and you greet with a breakfast of chocolate every day and a hideous novelty jumper. For me there's a few things that really signify the countdown to Christmas, the stuff we do every year. The Cowbridge reindeer parade at the end of November, going to collect the tree all bundled up in a million layers, the annual road trip to Birmingham to have an early Christmas with Joss' extended family, the gradual stream of friends coming back home and a cosy cold evening in the pub before the big day.
6. Creating memories.
I mean that's really what it's all about isn't it? Spending time with friends, family, extended family and the people you love most in this world. Creating memories to last a lifetime, reminiscing about old ones and making it special for the young ones. The ability to track your life through every Christmas from that amazing special gift you got when you were 7 to that one you were scared of Santa aged 3 or the one where you all couldn't stop laughing when you were 16. Creating memories with those closest to you is the absolute best part of Christmas no?
What would your six favourite things about this time of year be? Let me know in the comments!
