Five un-festive thoughts it’s okay to have at Christmas

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Five un-festive thoughts about Christmas. There are a few assumptions about this time of year that some people are too afraid to go against and think differently about. It’s a bit like my feelings towards autumn, it’s a very pretty season but I hate that it gets dark so early.

Christmas is the same, I love how it brings people together, but I hate the pressure to spend and be extravagant. You guys know how I like to keep things real around here and cut through the fluff so here goes:

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Un-festive thought #1: To feel it unnecessary to buy gifts for the sake of it –buy spontaneously throughout the year instead

Christmas isn’t all about gifts, but it’s easy to forget this when you’re out shopping getting stressed about what you could possibly get for your brother’s girlfriend’s cousin twice removed who you never EVER see!

As you get older, time with family is the most priceless and important thing Christmas brings so concentrate on having a really enjoyable day with good food and conversation.

Un-festive thought #2: To opt out of the annual after lunch game of Trivial Pursuit

Worst. Game. Ever.

If you just want to chill out on the sofa and watch Christmas films and television, maybe sneak in a cheeky nap, do.

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Christmas Jumper from Marks & Spencer

Un-festive thought #3: To buy all of your gifts in January  

Seriously, do. If you are going to splurge (& it’s okay to do so if it’s important to you), write out some IOU’s in a card to your loved ones so they still have something to open on the day, and purchase presents in the sales after Christmas; it’s cheaper and allows for that festive feeling to last a little longer.

My husband and I have already agreed that we are not allowed to buy each other anything before Christmas; we’ll dedicate a day to spend together hitting the shops after Christmas Day.

It’s totally not about being a cheapskate, I for one can no longer stomach buying things that get slashed in price a few days or weeks later and it often means you get more for your money.

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Un-festive thought #4: Eat!

I know in the past my efforts to not put on weight or give in to treats, I have missed out on enjoying Christmas for what it’s really all about –food! That tin of Quality Street doing the rounds in the office? Take two! More than one chocolate filled advent calendar? Do it! Mince pies? YES!

I mean, don’t go mad but life is far too short to deny yourself treats when it counts. January is all about detoxing and you’ll see better results if you actually have something to work off.

And finally… un-festive thought #5:

Festive M&S Christmas jumper

Therapy handbag Purse

Handbag purse from Therapy @ House of Fraser

To ask yourself if all this festivity is a lot of effort for something that goes by so quickly

It is, but if being festive, decorating your home, making that extra effort to see friends and family, buying gifts and treating yourself to a treat or two makes you happy… then it’s 100% worth it and 100% okay!

What are some of the things about Christmas that you’re too afraid to say out loud? Come on people, it’s a safe space here 😉

Until next time x

The ClaireySweetie Annual Christmas Advert Roundup for 2016 | Blogmas Day 2

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Hey Sweeties,

As is routine for me to do each year, here is a roundup of the Christmas adverts for 2016.

John Lewis – #Bustertheboxer

After being probably the only one that doesn’t cry each year at the John Lewis Christmas advert (see my post, why so anti?), I’ve probably become one of the few who actually really like it this year (apparently people look forward to crying at these ads?).  I have not only been desperately hoping in the lead up to the advert’s release that they do something different, but I’ve been quite vocal about it too (apologies). So, when the advert got released a day sooner than Twitter was expecting, rather than wait to see the advert for myself organically on TV, I watched it online and fortunately for my willingness to get into the Christmas spirit more enthusiastically this year, I can be positive about it for once. In the unlikely event that you haven’t seen it –

The first thing that came to mind was that the John Lewis creative team had obviously been scouring YouTube for inspiration and came across dogs on trampolines (aren’t those videos great?!). Then, having got to the end of the advert and realised that not only did John Lewis not want me to cry, but also that people genuinely would struggle to, I could get excited about it for the first time in yonks. For me, I really like that they’ve gone for a much light hearted vibe this year and the message of ‘gifts that everyone will love’ really does work in line with Christmas, and with their advert overall. I also feel people might view foxes and badgers differently, and not just as pests. I think it also needs saying that using a non-white family is a good nod to Britain and our culture at Christmas time. Well done John Lewis, I’m back on your side!

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Sleek Goodnight Sweetheart Limited Edition i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette

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A little while ago, and indeed every now and again, Boots will do a great deal on Sleek products and in this situation it was two for £12, so I rightly took the opportunity to snap up the limited edition Sleek Goodnight Sweetheart eyeshadow palette.

I own several Sleek i-Divine palettes and other products, most recently I reviewed the Matte Me Liquid Lipsticks in Velvet Slipper and Birthday Suit which have quickly become firm favourites and will no doubt make it into my 2016 Favourites post (spoiler!).

Sleek Goodnight Sweetheart Palette

Sleek Goodnight Sweetheart Palette

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Why So Anti? The Confessions of a Grumpy Almost Thirty Year-Old

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Hey Sweeties,

You know the more something is hyped up, the more some people retreat back from it? This is me. Lately I have come to realise that I have gotten used to being so anti things, I have almost actually prevented myself from enjoying anything, isn’t that crazy? But it’s true, it’s an historic trait in me, and I hate myself a little bit for it because it’s just so unnecessary. So today my Sweeties, in a bid to be better and less anti like, I am confessing my most recent sins in hope of forgiveness. Here goes:

Autumn –I frickin’ love autumn, I think everyone in the UK does; I love the changing colours of the trees; dry, crisp leaves on the floor; and the opportunity to wrap up warm; but from about mid-august it felt like everyone (by everyone I mean mostly bloggers -sorry guys, but you know it’s true!), suddenly got bored of the heat and the sun and it was time to start dreaming about chunky knits, boots, berry lips and such like which quite frankly, pissed me off. I love summer, I love the sun, I love the long days that end late into the evening; for my general upbeatness, I need days like this, so I just cannot understand why everyone gets so caught up in the romanticism of autumn and wishes summer away. Autumn is a beautiful season, sure, but let’s just calm down okay and enjoy the moment we’re in.

Action: As we’re now in autumn, let’s go for it! Cue all the autumness!

Halloween

Halloween

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Christmas holiday memories from my childhood

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Christmas holiday memories, we all have them and it’s one of the most prominent times in our childhood that we remember most fondly. In this post I share some of mine.

I find the build up to Christmas can be quite exhausting, but it is lovely to hear Christmas songs, see decorations (especially in London), and look forward to some quality family time as the Christmas spirit sets in.

Christmas holiday memories

Christmas as a child is the most exciting time of year, not to mention magical. Now I’m older, Christmas is so much more than the presents, and I find it sad that this aspect drives so many people’s total obsession with this time of year.

For me –as cheesy as it sounds- it’s about people coming together around the table, sharing a meal and making memories, particularly if you don’t see each other all that often.

I love the idea of putting together the ultimate holiday nostalgia time capsule filled with all the things that remind me of my favourite Christmas memories. Here is what I would include and why:

Christmas Eve films

On Christmas Eve growing up, we would watch three Christmas movies: Mickey’s Christmas Carol, The Snowman, and Father Christmas. In later years we added The Muppets Christmas Carol and probably Love Actually into the mix.

Christmas Holiday Nostalgia

Christmas Eve stories

After watching the three videos we got ready for bed and Dad would read my two brothers and me three stories: The Night Before Christmas; Frog and Toad (Christmas Eve); and Wake Up Bear…It’s Christmas.

Christmas holiday nostalgia

We would then be expected to fall asleep before Father Christmas arrived, and I remember always getting a bit anxious that my excitement was preventing me from sleep.

The Radio Times & a pack of highlighter pens

Every year since I can remember I have always had a copy of the Radio Times (later replaced with cheaper TV guides) and gone through it meticulously and highlighted everything I want to watch over Christmas.

Until moving out of the family nest nearly 9 years ago, I drove my parents mad doing it. Now that I am the controller of my own TV and schedule, I can still be found in the run up to Christmas furiously scouring and highlighting the TV guide.

There are also a whole bunch of memories I have that aren’t necessarily associated or can be associated to a gift, things like being Mary, the Angel Gabriel and a Shepherd for my Nativity acting credits; always being woken up far too early by my brothers on Christmas morning but when you’re awake, you’re awake (you can’t fight sleep when there’s a stocking full of gifts at the end of your bed!).

I also remember one year being out at church on Christmas eve and getting really anxious that we wouldn’t be home in time for Santa’s arrival, ha!

If you had to build your own crate full of Christmas holiday memories, what would you put in it?

Until next time x

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