Christmas Celebrations

Christmas day was a quiet one spent with family this year.  We exchanged a few small gifts, ate loads and played games.  Basically what Christmas should be about in my eyes.

The build up was somewhat different though.  I made sure I crammed in as many festive activities as possible.

A day was spent in London, wandering the streets and checking out all of the decorations and lights.  It is still by far one of my favourite cities to visit and especially at Christmas time.

I don't know about you but I find garden centres to be one of the best places to visit round Christmas time.  This year I tried two new ones and neither disappointed.  The first was the German themed market at Meadow Croft Garden Centre.

The second was Summerhill Garden Centre.  How I have never been here before I will never know, but I am glad I have finally made the visit.

A lot of Christmas films were watched.  Including a new release at the cinema, Bad Mom's and a couple of favourites at the drive-in.

I was even able to explore a new city, with a festive trip to Norwich.  Only a short train journey for me and yet somewhere I have never been before.  So many beautiful buildings and a good few hours spent taking in what was on offer.  It's definitely somewhere I would return to.

A very busy build up to Christmas but for me that is the best bit.  After all, Christmas is not just one day and I always endeavour to fill the season with as much as I can and this year I'm happy with what I have managed to squeeze in.

How was Christmas for you this year?

~ Gem x

December 2017 Bucket List

December has rolled back round again.  There is a chill in the air and things are beginning to feel very festive, we've even seen some snow.

I did contemplate taking part in Blogmas this year but in all honesty the commitment right now is all just a little too much.  If I had of been more organised then I would definitely be taking part, however trying to wrack my brains for 24 blog posts between now and the 24th December was all just a little too much.  Maybe next year, I could start preparing now.  Instead this month I intend to:

* Write and send Christmas cards ~

A tradition that is slowly phasing out, but I am determined to keep it going.

* Attend a Christmas themed 'Drive-In Movie' ~

I have already got 2 of these booked up so I am really looking forward to a bit of chill time.

* Get to London to see all the Christmas lights and decorations ~

I've been meaning to do this for a few years now and never quite manage it.  I did go ice skating at Somerset House last year but we didn't venture any further round London.

* Attempt a Christmas movie marathon complete with lots of yummy goodies ~

Nothing screams Christmas like a Christmas film and there are some great ones to be seen.  I'll be sharing some of my favourites with you soon so watch this space.

* Go for a Christmas light drive ~

Somewhat of a new tradition to go for a drive to see everyone's efforts at stringing up lights across their homes, there are some gorgeous ones out there and some oh so very tacky ones (sometimes they are the best ones though).

I'm trying to keep it simple this year, I don't want to over do it but at the same time I want it to feel Christmassy.  Hopefully this should od the trick.

~ Gem x

November 2017 Bucket List

I can't believe we are almost at the end of 2017.  It feels as though the year has gone so quickly, but yet looking back to January it feels a life time ago.  Isn't it funny how it often feels that way.  A sign of getting older me thinks. 

With that said, in November I'd like to:

* Explore a new city.

Starting this month off in America is an added bonus and should all go to plan I shall be travelling to Chicago today.  It's a city I have always wanted to visit so I'm just a tad excited.

* Create a photobook of all my memories created in America

I'd really like to try and get some more of these photo books and one detailing my most recent trip would be a great memento of my time spent with Brook.

* Go to see a firework display.
I am the biggest kid when it comes to fireworks, I love them and literally find myself mesmerised by all the pretty colours falling from the sky.

* Prepare for Christmas

I'd love to get organised this year with my Christmas shopping, there is nothing worse than that mad rush at the end of December trying to find things to buy for people, I want to avoid that this year.   

* Begin reading my first Christmas book of the year.

The past few months has seen me increase the amount I have been reading.  From one book every few months to one book every 2 weeks, I'm more than impressed with myself so hopefully I should get in at least a couple of Christmas reads this year.

* Get in on the festivities

November for me is all about the build up to December which of course brings us Christmas, a time of year I am always excited for just in case you hadn't gathered this already.  Seeing the start of Christmas events, I want to make the most of them all this year and really enjoy it to the full.  I'm basically just going to try and cram in as much as I can to the last remaining months of 2017.

It's looking like a busy month.  Let's make the rest of 2017 amazing.

~ Gem x

Christmas at Center Parcs

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  It's all just over so quick isn't it?!

Christmas was always going to be a little different this year after what had happened earlier in the year, and so as a family we decided to go for something completely different and I have to say, so far it has been an amazing idea and I have loved every second.  (Yes check me out, a dedicated blogger, I am writing to you direct from Center Parcs)

We arrived on Friday to a very festive check in booth.  As we weren't able to get into our lodge we decided to head straight to The Pancake House to start the weekend off as we intended to carry it on.  It is Christmas after all.

I love the effort that has gone into making the place feel festive.  There are fairy lights practically everywhere and an air of festive spirit about the place which just makes it feel all the more magical.  I love Center Parcs at the best of times but Christmas time is amazing.  

We've not done all that much as far as activities go, although a few of us have hired bikes and myself and my sister in law did try out a tandem (absolutely hilarious, and thankfully didn't end in anyone getting hurt).  There has been lots of walking, lots of eating, and swimming (isn't the pool one of the best bits of Center Parcs?!) and generally just spending time together as a family which in my opinion has been pretty special.   

I'm sure by the end of the trip I won't want to go home, which is usually the case whenever I visit Center Parcs, but then that is all the more reason to book up to come back again.

That's all from me for now.  I'm off to make the most of the rest of my trip.  Happy Holidays.

~ Gem x

Merry Christmas

A very quick post from me today to wish all of my readers a very merry Christmas.

I hope that wherever you are and whatever you are doing, it is a good one.

My bags are packed, the car is fully loaded with the Christmas CD ready to be played as I head to Center Parcs for Christmas and I couldn't be more excited.

There are sure to be some updates from me on my Instagram, but on the whole I intend to be making the most of the time away with loved ones.

Have a great Christmas.

~ Gem x

  

Christmas at Your Front Door

One thing I love about this time of year is seeing how people decorate their doorways for the season.

Seeing homes that look like they should be gracing a page in Country Living magazine.  So festive and welcoming at this special time of year. 

I couldn't help but snap a few during my walks recently. 

How will you be decorating your entrance way this year?

~ Gem x

Home Christmas Tour

Christmas is a little different this year, setting up my decorations in a different place felt strange, but it does feel good to have them around me during the run up to the 25th.  It wouldn't feel like Christmas without them.

I had hoped for a slightly taller tree this year, as the flat has really high ceilings.  But the taller they got, the fatter they got, so I had to make do with a 7ft tree, which is still pretty amazing.

I've been very good and have restrained from buying many new decorations, it's been really hard though, believe me.  I love Christmas and always find the shops filled with so many beautiful decorations at this time of year.  If I could buy them all I would, but this year that just wasn't possible. 

The one and only new purchase has been for this window display.  Paper snowflake pom poms from Poundland and some gorgeous star lights which I have admired on Pinterest for years.  Finally having amazing windows to hang them from I just couldn't resist them. 

So the decorations are up and almost all the presents have been bought.  All that leaves now is to wrap them and enjoy the festivities of the season.

~ Gem x

Skate Somerset House

I've been ice skating in London a few times around Christmas in the past, however one rink that I have always wanted to visit was Somerset House.

It always looks so grand and so pretty with the huge Fortnum and Masons Christmas tree.  I've always left it to late to get tickets in previous years but last weekend I manage to get hold of some and was able to witness the scene for myself .

It truly is just as stunning in real life as it is in the photos you see.  I'm so pleased to be able to cross this off my December bucket list, especially as it's somewhere I've wanted to visit for years.

It does get booked up pretty quickly though, so if it's something you are wanting to do this year, you'd best get your skates on (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist) as tickets are already selling out.

~ Gem x

Christmas at Kew

A couple of weeks back I was lucky enough to be invited along to Kew Gardens for the preview evening of their annual event Christmas at Kew.

It is an event I have wanted to visit for a good couple of years now, I've even added it to my list of 30 before 30.  Looking at the images on social media in the past, I have been blown away by it's beauty. I won't lie, I was a little worried that it wouldn't live up to my expectations and I would leave at the end of the evening feeling somewhat disappointed by it all.  I needn't have worried.

As soon as we reached the entrance gates the sound of carollers filled the air and the twinkling lights of the Christmas tree enticed us in to discover more of what Kew had to offer. 

I loved every second of the evening.  Around every corner we were graced with yet another beautiful display and endless twinkling lights.  I felt like a kid in a candy store, I am a sucker for twinkling lights.  

The trail flowed so well, you could tell a lot of thought, time and effort had been put into organising it all.  It really capsulates the Christmas spirit and walking around, hot spiced apple in hand, I felt so festive.  Now in it's fourth year, I'm not surprised it's an event they decided to bring back again and it's definitely an event I'd like to see back in the future. 

For anyone around the London area I would say it is a must see this Christmas.  It is just the ticket to get you in that festive spirit.

~ Gem x