Blogmas 2017 day 18 - 10 things I love about Christmas

Welcome to blogmas day 18! There is only one week to go until Christmas day, and it seems to have sprung up very quickly! Today's post, I want to share the top 10 things I love about Christmas! I had to narrow it down to just 10 because I love this time of year so much, otherwise this would be a very long post!
So here are my top10 things I love about Christmas!

The Christmas Tree

Every year, I try to wait as long as possible to put my tree up, but it never happens! I always put it up a week or two before December, because I just can't possibly wait much longer! I love having the tree on at night, with it's pretty lights glowing. I don't overdo my tree, I have lights and ornaments. No tinsel or ribbons, and I love it so much!

Christmas Lights

I love to drive around and look at peoples Christmas lights that they decorate their houses with. There are some amazing looking house near where I live, and I love the work that goes into putting the lights up. We used to put lights up and it was a great feeling having people stop and look at our lights!

Decorations

Decorating my house is one of my favourite things to do at Christmas time. The only problem I have is there isn't enough room for all of my Christmas decor! I love adding lights wherever I can, I have even out some coloured ones around my bed frame! I also have Christmas themed bedding in my room as well as my sons room. There are all sorts of festive buts and pieces in my house, including a miniature Christmas village on display. I really do love this time of year.

Christmas Movies

There are so many great Christmas movies that it is so hard to narrow down my favourites. I did a post on which movies I love, and it doesn't matter how many times you watch them, they will always be great!

Wrapping Presents

I love to wrap gifts and get them as perfect looking as possible! My present wrapping skills have definitely improved over the years, and I love adding little bows and ribbons to make the pressies look extra!

Christmas Shopping and Sales

It's very important to write a list of who you need to buy for and stick to that list. Otherwise you find yourself adding things that you either don't necessarily need, or have too much for one person! This time of year is great for sales though, and it is very easy to say to yourself, oh I'll just add that present too!

Food and Drinks

Seeing as we celebrate Christmas in summer time, warm drinks are not as popular as they would be in the Northern hemisphere! I love all the different Christmas inspired cocktails that people make. I also love the food side of it, the Turkey, salads and best of all deserts! I usually make a trifle for Christmas and I love it because this is the only time of year that I make it.

Christmas Scents

I love the Christmassy scents at this time of year. I love cinnamon, vanilla, pine needles and even gingerbread! I have lot of Christmassy scented candles which have a lot of these scents in them. I also love the smell of Turkey cooking on Christmas day, and all the baking that goes along with it!

Christmas Songs

How cool are Christmas songs? My favourite thing to do is wrap presents while listening to some Christmas tunes. Actually, any chance I get I pop some on, whether it be housework, cooking tea or even in the car! So much fun bopping away to some Christmas Carols. 

Christmas Atmosphere

This may sound quite strange, and I hope I can explain it, but I love the general atmosphere at this time of year. People are rushing to get gifts, or winding down for holiday mode and are generally happy and full of cheer! We are lucky to celebrate Christmas in the warmer months here in Australia, which means a lot of outdoor activities and barbecues. Christmas time usually means party time down under, and everyone is looking forward to a lovely break.

There are so many more things that I could have added, but I narrowed it down and this is the shortened version!
I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know what sort of things you love at this time of year. I would love to know!

Blogmas 2017 Day 16 - Christmas Down Under

If there is one thing that I am jealous of at this time of year, it's the Northern Hemisphere and their wintery, chilly Christmas! I love the idea of a white Christmas, and cozying up at night with a hot chocolate with the Christmas lights on. It's something that we can't really do here in Australia because it's usually quite warm, being summer! We do have our own traditions though, with the weather being warmer it enables families to celebrate outdoors either at home, the beach or a camping adventure!
Today's post will be me sharing a few traditions with you, so if you aren't from the southern hemisphere, you will probably find these quite different from what you are used to.

Street Parties

If you live on a quiet street or even better a court, chances are you know most of you neighbours, and most likely there are a lot of kids in the street too. Christmas night usually would entail the closure of the street, so the families and kids can play and run amok!

Prawns

While the traditional Christmas dinner usually consists of roast Turkey and vegetables, it is an Aussie tradition to have prawns on Christmas day. I am not a seafood eater, so can't really say how good this is, but from all reports, it's amazing! I am definitely a more traditional person, preferring the turkey over the prawns, but my family regularly has prawns in the evening after a big lunch.

Christmas Lunch

Most families in Australia have a big Christmas lunch. As a child we would head to my grandparents house (which I still do) and have a big lunch with the whole family. Then after that all the kids would sit around the Christmas tree and open presents. By the afternoon, everyone is tired and full, and ready to go home.

Carols by Candlelight

This is a really fun tradition that you can find in most towns in Australia. The major cities will have a big one where there will be major performers and a whole lot of people, but smaller towns usually hold their own. This is where families usually pack a blanket, picnic and spend the night listening to Christmas carols by candlelight.

A plate for Santa

On Christmas Eve, we always make sure we leave out a plate of snacks for Santa. This will usually consist of a cookie, glass of milk and a carrots for the reindeer.

Christmas Lights

This is something I love about this time of year, it's when people decorate their houses with Christmas light. We have done it at our previous hose and it's so much fun! I love to look at all the amazing houses, some people do such an amazing job!

Backyard Cricket

I can remember many a Christmas day playing backyard cricket with the family. Often played late in the afternoon, and when the adults have had a little too much Christmas cheer and think they are international cricket stars! The wheelie bin would usually be the wickets, and it can make for an entertaining afternoon!