These are a few of my favourite things
The Christmas Edition 🎄✨
As the days are getting colder and the twinkling Christmas lights and Christmas trees are slowly appearing it made me realise that this time of year is my favourite. The transition from autumn to winter feels like a complete slow down in so many ways, it seems more relaxed and it brings about rituals, experiences and memories that I love. And although Christmas can also bring hustle and bustle the winter nights cause me to stop, get comfy and make me feel reflective.
My nostalgia also increases exponentially at this time of year and I become filled with the Christmas spirit. Because of this I decided to write down some of my favourite Christmas things. I could feel the love and Christmas magic washing over me as I settled down to write this piece, and it made me feel warm and cosy inside. I hope you enjoy my Christmas favourites and that they bring you some festive cheer.
If you have any favourite Christmas things or traditions I would love to know! Let’s spread some festive joy! 🎄✨
The Muppets Christmas Carol
The Muppets Christmas Carol brings me so much joy! I think I have watched it every single Christmas since I can remember. My appreciation of it has grown over the years as I have realised how truly amazing the film is. It’s a masterclass of an adaptation and it captures all the emotions. At 30 years old it still stands the test of time, a true mark of its quality and the care and attention to detail that the team behind the film put into creating it.
The films 30th Anniversary occurred last year and the reinstating of the classic song - When Love Is Gone on Disney+ really elevated the film as it added another emotional dimension which was missing for so many years. There is a lovely article about it in GQ , In it they capture the magic, spirit and love that was poured into making this film. Everyone from Kermit The Frog to Sir Michael Caine to Beaker bring their A-game. It’s a timeless classic, and I will always and forever love this film. Hence why I am also going to toot my own horn (whilst taking a very deep breath to do so) and mention an episode of my podcast (Muppetsational!) which celebrates this amazing film with a lot of love, fun and appreciation.
The Power of Love - Frankie Goes to Hollywood
I have referenced this song before but it just didn’t feel right if I didn’t mention it again, as this song is Christmas for me. Any playlist or a listen of Christmas songs is not complete unless this song is added and played. It’s a timeless classic, and the lyrics in it are beautiful. They really speak to my soul.
‘The power of love
A force from above
Cleaning my soul
The power of love
A force from above
A sky-scraping dove…’
Every time I listen to it I get transported back to a specific Christmas memory. It is intertwined with my family and I know that it’s a song that is going to be with me forever and listened to at every Christmas future to come.
The Good Life Christmas Special
Silly, But It’s Fun - is the name of The Good Life Christmas special from 1977 and it pretty much sums it up perfectly. The picture above is from one of my favourite scenes, involving handmade Christmas crackers, paper hats and the ooh-ahh bird… (you must look it up) It’s one of Penelope Keith’s finest performances in the show. This episode is one that I watch every year and has a nice message that it’s not about the ‘stuff’ of the day but the silliness and the joy of being together.
Last Christmas - Wham!
Even though I was born at the tail end of the 80’s, I grew up on 80’s music due to my parents. So naturally this song is one of my Christmas favourite things. Last Christmas by Wham! is such a classic. It was released in 1986 and always seems to be on the radio at Christmas time. It also has a bit of melancholy to it, which is why it also fits this time of year.
George and the whole Wham! crew also provide the feels and the 80’s fashion in the iconic music video.
Christmas trees and displays
I do love a Christmas tree or a Christmas themed display. I adore the smell, the decorations and if there is a specific theme… even better. I like to seek out different displays and have been to many a National Trust House to see what they have done.
I also like it when I am out and about and see different decorations, what people have done to their houses and the sparkle of Christmas lights. I equally love it when you see Christmas decorations that are made out of unusual things. The whole Christmas display vibe is magical to me, as people put so much love and attention into them to bring joy not only to themselves but also to others.
While You Were Sleeping
Ok, so I am putting my hands up again - I have written about this film before but it didn’t feel right to exclude it because of its previous mention. Snow, Sandra Bullock, Peter Gallagher’s eyebrows, Chicago, Bill Pullman and the Callaghan family (special shout out to the magnificent Elsie played by Glynis Johns aka Mrs Banks from Mary Poppins) are just a selection of highlights from this warm and fuzzy Christmas romantic comedy.
This film warms my heart every time I watch it. I think I actually know all of the words off by heart and if you asked me to describe the whole film from start to finish I probably could. I highly recommend you to seek it out and watch it, its peak 90’s and Sandra Bullock is charming, funny and heart-breaking as Lucy.
Christmas baubles
We have boxes that contain a mixture of baubles made by me as a child, ones inherited from grandparents and baubles that have been purchased through out the years. They are an eclectic bunch but they make our Christmas tree unique.
Each one holds a memory and I think this cranks the Christmas nostalgia up to a 100. I love the smell of them when you open the boxes and the way they capture the light. They are prisms of times gone by and they provide a sense of reflection.
The Golden Snowflake
The Golden Snowflake was given to me as a child at Christmas and I have treasured it ever since. It’s a magical and sweet tale about Hector the snowman who is searching for the golden snowflake and the magical powers it brings. It’s beautifully illustrated, full of sweet characters and snow.
It’s something that warms my heart every time I read it. It feels really special when I can share the book as it means a lot to me. I also think Hector is the reason why I like any food or drink that is strawberry flavoured! It’s a comforting and cosy read.
It’s been so lovely to explore some of my festive favourites, I could have easily written down so many more! I really love this time of year and all it brings.
I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for your continued support and for joining me on this writing journey.
I will be pausing my writing for now but will back in the new year! Best wishes and have a wonderful Christmas!