Hello there and happy Friday! I hope you have all had a good week. Mine has been pretty quiet but in a nice way, just pottering around and doing little bits to get ready for Christmas. Usually by this point I’m starting to flap about something ridiculous like running out of wrapping paper or forgetting who I’ve already bought gifts for but everything feels surprisingly calm this year. It’s a Christmas miracle. I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share what I have been loving over the past week.
All the Christmas movies!
I have watched so many over the last week! I’ve gone through a whole run of the cheesy Hallmark style ones: Jingle Bell Heist, Champagne Problems, My Secret Santa and Love Hard. Then I balanced it out with a few classics because it’s not December if you haven’t had a little cry at The Holiday or muttered hot, hot, hot chocolate along with The Polar Express, there was also Love Actually and The Grinch! The wild card of the week was A Christmas Karen on Amazon. I clicked on it not expecting much but it was so bad that it was good. It’s a parody of A Christmas Carol, except the Scrooge character is an entitled middle aged woman who thinks she runs the world. It was so silly but so funny.
Advent Calendars!
This is one of my favourite little rituals in December. I love that moment when I get all my jobs done and then treat myself to a little bit of chocolate. This year I’ve got a Terry’s Chocolate Orange advent calendar, it's my favourite chocolate ever! Someone told me the other day that advent calendars are just for kids. No, absolutely not! If anything adults need advent calendars more than kids, they're already overflowing with magic and excitement, we are the ones who need that daily boost to get through the Christmas chaos!
More gift buying!
I think and don’t quote me on this because things can change in a heartbeat but I think I’m finally done with the Christmas shopping. Presents, stocking fillers, selection boxes and random little bits I absolutely did not need to buy but threw into the basket anyway. I only have a couple of gifts left that need ordering online and those will be sent straight to the people they’re for which means wrapping is next! I picked up wrapping paper, gift tags and some fancy ribbon yesterday so I don't have any excuses anymore, the wrapping is a job for next week!
My eldest feeling better!
Poor Becky has had a bit of a rough week. She came down with a cold over the weekend and has been feeling pretty rubbish. She’s been keeping herself upstairs for most of the week, partly to rest and partly to avoid spreading her germs. I appreciate that very much because I do not have time to be sick right now. She’s pretty sure she caught it from work. She works in a care home and unless you’re basically on your last breath calling in sick feels forbidden! She was fine until two hours into her shift on Tuesday when blowing her nose non-stop combined with the heat in the home triggered a nosebleed. Bless her, she does not handle blood well, she went dizzy, pale and the nurse on duty took one look at her and told her to go home, which she did. Once she got outside and had some fresh air, the nosebleed stopped and she tucked herself straight into bed when she got home. I’ve been doing room service all week, taking her meals medicine and drinks upstairs and apart from her quick dashes to the bathroom or bringing her plates down occasionally, I’ve barely seen her. She is over the worst now, feels better in herself but is left with a nasty cough. Phew!
Putting dates in the diary.
I’ve finally sat down with my calendar and pencilled in the main things for the next couple of weeks. Nothing too wild, just the essentials. There’s the big frozen food shop with my dad where we stock up on the turkey, party food, and whatever else jumps into the trolley, I’ve also got a meal out with friends booked, which I’m really looking forward to and a family visit day planned to drop off presents. That’s it. That’s all I’m allowing. Every December I end up overbooking myself and then wondering why I feel worn out and run down later in the month, not this year. I’m keeping things simple and calm.
What have you loved over the past week?
