The Christmas TAG with heyitisjess | Christmas 2014

Hello!

I'm feeling super festive so today I've brought to you my second Christmas TAG- see last years here! Also this is actually a collab with the lovely Jess from Hey It Is Jess, so go and subscribe via bloglovin here!

1. What's your favourite Christmas film?

Most definitely the Polar Express! I remember going to see it in the cinema on Christmas Eve, ever since it just makes me really happy, reminds me of my childhood and makes it feel like Christmas. I'm sure you've seen it but if not, definitely give it a watch this Christmas!

2. What is your favourite Christmas drink?

I'm not a huge fan of the Christmas orientated flavours, I hate spices and ginger bread men are about the furthest my palette will go. So it'll be a very boring but much loved tea or hot chocolate if I'm feeling brave.

3. Does your family have any Christmas traditions?

I can't say we do. We do spend Christmas Eve relaxing and watching Christmas films all day but i'm sure a lot of people do that!  We also always spend boxing day doing the same thing which probably also includes pigging out and having cold meat and home made chips- yum!

4. What time do you usually wake up on Christmas morning?

Usually it'd be around 4-6ish because my elder brother is a big kid and wakes my younger brother up and then you can pretty much guarantee we'll all be awake by 6. Although last year I was good, I stayed in bed til at least 8:30, wahey a lie in!

5. Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Not really, we've had left over snow on Christmas if that counts? Probably not!

6. Is your Christmas tree real or synthetic?

In all honesty we've never had a real pine tree for Christmas as my parents think they're too big and messy. So obviously it's synthetic!

7. What's your favourite Christmas song?

It'd probably have to be I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday- Wizzard. It just makes me really happy and puts me right in the festive mood! Also Olly Murs has covered it- ultimate babe! I love Merry Christmas Everybody- Slade as it came on in work recently and I had a little rave in my head, haha!

8. What is your favourite decoration colour combination?

Usually we'd opt for the reds and silvers but this year we're feeling adventurous and have purchased pinky/purple and teal baubles which I absolutely love!

9. Have you ever built a gingerbread house?

Yes I have indeed! I think we did it last year or the year before, it looked super pretty but nobody wanted to eat it as the gingerbread was quite strong in flavour and soft, yuck!

10. What is your favourite part of Christmas dinner?

Previously it would've been turkey as that is the only time we eat it but I've gone off meat! I'm not a vegetarian but I just don't enjoy meat with my dinner anymore. Though I do love pigs in blanket as again we only have them on our dinner at Christmas, so pigs in blankets definitely!

11. What is your Christmas day fashion?

Usually Christmas is one of the days we get dressed up, I've always struggled to pick a outfit of new clothes I've had earlier that morning. However in recent years it's all about the comfort seeing as we stay at home, this year I think I'll rock a Christmas jumper!

12. Do you open your presents before or after dinner?

We've always opened our stockings, had breakfast, opened the presents, got ready and then had dinner. Sometimes we may leave some presents until after dinner though!

Christmas is definitely my favourite time of the year and I love hearing what others get up to and their traditions so I tag EVERYONE to do this TAG! Let me know if you do so I can check yours out and I hope you've liked my take and collab with Jess.

Merry Christmas or if you don't celebrate Christmas, Happy Holidays!

See you soon,

♥   ♥   ♥

What To Get!? | Christmas Gift Ideas

Hello!

I love Christmas yet i'm trying not to get too excited too early, but with the Christmas lights being turned on in my town, Christmas Adverts and Christmas Shopping- I just cannot help it!

Every year i'm stuck on what to buy family members due to them being fussy, having all they could need and simply being on a budget- I thought i'd get a blog post up on gift ideas to help you guys out- please note: these aren't for everyone, just what i'm getting my family that I think they'll like and not breaking the bank too much!

I don't have a strict budget but with being 17 and only working part-time I don't have lots of money to spend all at once. I tend to buy smaller more affordable gifts as then I can purchase a few and put a lot of thought into them, there are many places online where you can find the same gifts for cheaper- I hope this doesn't sound to skimpy but I love getting more for my money!

My mother is probably the hardest to buy for, she's so fussy! She doesn't really like jewelry or perfumes, doesn't wear much make up and simply says 'I have everything I could ever want'. I decided to think about her likes and interests, coffee and birds! So this bird mug was mandatory, it's such a lovely size and i'm more than pleased with it- I think she'll love it! This was from a website called Sass and Belle- find it here.

I'm yet to think of what else to get her but i'm thinking of going down the lipstick route, chocolates and wine!

My dad is pretty easy to buy for, he'll be happy with anything! Usually I settle his favourite shaving gift set and he's happy! This year I thought i'd get a jokey present which he quite likes, I found this T-shirt on eBay, brand new which was quite considerably cheaper than else where! Again i'll probably buy is favourite shaving set and some Dad socks, a staple in every Dad's wardrobe!

Me and my sisters are so alike it was pretty much like buying for myself, gift sets, accessories and candles are always a good shout! This year my eldest sister moved out and I love shopping for home ware so it was inevitable that I had a hunt in the home ware sections! I came across this heart chalk board, perfect to pop in the kitchen or your room to help you remember to pick up some milk or an event. This again was from Sass and Belle- see it here. My other sister really likes Katy Perry and I saw that she released a perfume this year so I had a little look and found it on Fragrance Direct(which unfortunately isn't available anymore, so see it here) for a lot cheaper than elsewhere- she loved the original so i'm sure she'll love this one!

I also thought i'd throw some more gift ideas out there too so:

iPad or tablet case from Primark

-A case for their favourite device- e.g. their phone or iPad!-More often than not, candles are a winner! Yankee Candles are slightly more affordable here.

-Tickets to see their favourite band/singer/comedian in concert.

-Experience Day tickets, this could be sky-diving, a spa day or even afternoon tea!

-Beauty/Perfume gift sets- always a winner in my book!

-Something personal e.g. a printed photo canvas or album.

Do you have any gift idea's you'd like to share? Please let me know down below as i'm yet to buy everything!

Hope you're enjoying shopping!

♥   ♥   ♥