What I love about the Holiday Season

I can’t actually believe that it’s Christmas Eve. I don’t think I’m ready for it yet. My Christmas tree is up, cards are sent out, the house is decorated, even my office is. But I think that’s the problem: I’m working. For all these years I’ve been off school at least a couple of days before Christmas and I’ve been able to fully enjoy the season. It’s calm at the office and I’m not drowning in work so I can’t complain. But I can’t exactly light candles, eat cookies and watch movies all day.

To get in the spirit I want to share with you what I love about Christmas:

Movies - This is going to be quite an unusual choice for a favorite: Little Lord Fauntleroy, a British movie from 1980. I wouldn't say that it is christmassy but it’s definitely one of the classics that is aired on German TV around this time of the year. Since I was a kid I've seen the movie about 15 times and I'll probably watch it next year and the year after that and so on. But I also love to cuddle up on the sofa in my onesie to watch The Holiday or Love Actually.

Decorations – Why can’t we hang fairy lights all year round or at least all winter? Driving to work in the dark is much less painful when the streets are lit up with fairy lights in trees, shop windows, everywhere. Also the smell of a fresh Christmas tree when you walk into someone’s home is one of my favorite scents.

Food – I’m talking chocolate and cookies. To be honest I’m not a fan of all the special editions for this season. Even a plain bar of milk chocolate tastes better and less guilty in December. And adding a bit of cinnamon to any drink makes it festive!

Make Up – This may sound very superficial but I love how I can layer on the make up without being judged. I wear minimal and neutral make up all year round but with all the Christmas parties and New Years Eve I have an excuse to go all out and experiment with glitter and color.

The most important thing about the Holidays though is spending quality time with your family and friends!

Merry Christmas!

Last Minute Gift Guide

Some of you may have had the time to get all your Christmas shopping done before this weekend. But if like me you only got off work late these past couple of days you may be in desperate need of some last minute gift ideas. Online shopping might be less stressful but this close to Christmas I'm scared that my orders don't get in in time to put under the tree.

Here are some quick ideas that will hopefully make your shopping a bit easier:

Personally I love to receive PJ's for Christmas and it has been a tradition in our household. Find the most festive and cosy set and accessorize with a pair of socks or a snuggly blanket. If you're shopping for a kid in your family you could always add a cute teddy bear.

Scents are quite personal and difficult to shop for so if you don't want to risk buying the wrong perfume for somebody, go for candles. You can choose a theme (spicy, fruity, floral) and put together your own little set of candles.

Everybody has that friend or family member that likes to cuddle up on the sofa every once in a while to have a movie marathon. Find out their favorite genre and select a couple of DVDs, add some unhealthy snacks to the collection and gift the perfect movie night.

For the make-up lover among your friends and family you can choose to splurge on one of the amazing limited edition sets from a high end brand or put together your own set. Go to the drugstore and pick up your own favorites from lipstick to mascara to put them in a nice make up bag under the Christmas tree. You could also to do these personalized sets with skincare items, shower gels, bath oils, etc.

Every girl loves to open a little velvet box to find a nice piece of jewellery. Go for something simple and classic or something a bit more edgy depending on the personality and your budget. When it comes to jewellery I'd say go for a necklace or earrings to be safe in case you're not sure about sizes.

As girls we find it a bit tricky to find a gift for the males in our lives. Something practical and tech-y would be a portable battery charger or high quality headphones.

Gender neutral are gift vouchers although they are a bit controversial. Try to add a personal touch to a voucher, create a whole experience around it. Maybe embed the voucher in a trip.

You could also do the same with concert tickets or tickets to any sports event!

To me it's important that you add a personal touch to any gift or at least have a story to go with it that you write down on a Christmas card!

Did you leave your shopping until the last minute?