My Christmas Wrapping and Cards

 
Six more days to go! Six more days until Christmas! I'm so excited guys! The big day(s) are nearly here! Yes, Christmas eve and boxing day are also very important to me...
 
I have been so prepared this year - all my presents are wrapped and all my cards have been written and given out! So, in order to commemorate this unusual (for me anyway,) planning, I thought I'd give you guys a little insight into my present wrapping and Christmas cards.
 
First off we have my Christmas presents. I actually pinched this wrapping paper from my mum because I saw it and loved it so naturally, I had to "borrow" it... for all my presents... until there was none left...!
 

This present was more of a monochrome look, and I tried to do this for most of my presents if I had time. The bow was actually made of black craft paper because I had no access to real black ribbon but I think it gives a pretty dramatic effect!

 
This next present is the look I went for when I was running out time (and patience) with my wrapping. Instead of making the bows, I just added a little red ribbon around the present and added a DIY gift tag instead. I have this really awesome snowflake whole puncher which meant I could make them really easily.
 
 

These beauties are the tiny Christmas cards I gave out to a few of my friends this year. I only really needed to buy one pack but the pack I bought was in support of Macmillan. This meant that for the pound that I spent on the cards, 30p would be donated to charity. I know that doesn't sound a lot but imagine if everyone that bought a pack of cards, bought a charity pack. The charity would make hundreds of pounds! I spoke about this little act of kindness in a previous post because it is just a little something I did this year to help others around me.
 
 
So now you know what my Christmas wrapping and cards look like this year! There is a black and grey colour scheme running throughout as you can see. I didn't actually put that much time into wrapping and card writing this year which is unlike me. Maybe it's because I've become so skilled at it that I get it finished fast!
 
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

My Bedroom Christmas Decs

 
At my house, we have had our Christmas decorations up since the first week of December. So I should have given you guys a little sneak peak into my bedroom weeks ago but instead I've left you to wait until now - Sorry!
 

 


This is my tiny little Christmas tree in my room. It's falling to pieces though and the baubles need replacing... Also, if you look really closely, you can see the reflection of me talking the photo! Oops!

 
I also like to stick all the cards I get on my wall because they make me happy, but I've only got three so far so hopefully I'll get more soon.
 
 
As I'm writing this, I've been thinking to myself - I really need to get some more decorations for next year but then I remembered, I'll be at university next Christmas! How crazy!
 
How have you decorated your room this year? Let me know in the comments!
 
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Dislikes


Okay so don't get me wrong, Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year but I think we all have to admit there are some things about it that we dislike.
 
Seeing as I created a post about everything I love about Christmas, it seems only sensible I make one about my Christmas dislikes.
 

1. How commercialised it has become.

I think pretty much everyone in existence is bombarded with Christmas marketing campaigns. I feel like businesses just use it as a way to make more money, rather than focusing on using Christmas for the better. They could use it as a way to support and encourage charity campaigns but instead it has just become a marketing strategy!
 

2. How early people start celebrating it.

Literally as soon as September starts and summer is basically over, Christmas is just there, lurking in the background. I mean, selling Christmas cards in September? Really? Decorations in early November? Christmas isn't a season long ordeal!
 

3. How it takes away from Halloween and Fireworks Night!

I don't know if everyone is going to agree with me here but I love the autumn celebrations of Halloween and Fireworks Night! In fact, fireworks is basically on par with Christmas for me! So when October starts and people start talking about Christmas, I'm just there like: "Uh, Hello? Spooky Fireworks are still to come!"
 

4. The cost of it all.

I know far too many people that struggle with the cost of Christmas. People are so focused on it that it puts way to much financial pressure on people! I know both myself and my parents get overwhelmed with the cost of Christmas, especially when you want everything to be perfect!
 

5. How far in advance you have to prepare.

I envy those that willingly leave their Christmas preparations to the last minute! If I leave it later than the second week of December then I already feel like I'm behind! I think I enjoy planning too much to leave it that late!
 

6. How it is so focused on presents.

I think people often forget the true meaning of Christmas. I don't mean in the religious sense because I'm not religious at all, but the values that underpin it all. People are so focused on presents at Christmas time, they forget to think about those less fortunate, they forget about the importance of family time and they forget about the joy and happiness of it all! Instead, it's all focused on what expensive presents you buy or receive and how extravagant you are.
 

7. Those Bah Humbug People!

I know this post has been pretty negative but in the great scheme of things, I am a massive Christmas lover! One of the worst things about Christmas is those people that just don't embrace it and instead remain negative about it all! Bah Humbug to you I say!
 
 
 
I hope this post wasn't too negative for you all! I love the festive season and there are so many amazing things about it! But, I thought I would highlight some of the negative's of the season in order to shed some light on the problems it can cause.
 
Just remember to think of those less fortunate and try your best to make the festive a positive time, rather than a stressful one!
 
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!
 

14 Songs To Add To Your Christmas Playlist



How is everyone feeling that Christmas is just 9 days away! It has come around so fast! I am feeling so prepared this year, all the presents have been wrapped and cards are ready to write! Check me out, I know!
 
For day 16 of Blogmas, I've created a list of my favourite Christmas songs. These are obviously alongside the classics from Wham! and Shakin' Stevens but we all know those songs!


Shake Up Christmas - Train
Santa Tell Me - Ariana Grande
Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Sam Smith
Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid 30
All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Buble
Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea
One More Sleep - Leona Lewis
Santa Baby - Kylie Minogue
Christmas Lights - Coldplay
Jingle Bells - Michael Buble
Mistletoe - Justin Bieber
Sleigh Ride - Ronettes

What's your favourite song on this Christmas playlist? Let me know in the comments!

I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Fantastic Gifts And Where To Find Them

Harry Potter Gift Guide
Today's post is dedicated to all those Harry Potter fans out there. (Shout out to you, I love you!)
 
I'm a huge Harry Potter fan myself and if I received any of these presents then I would be over the moon! But, I do already have a couple of them so be careful - us Harry Potter fangirls can be a bit over the top sometimes!
 
The image above is my harry potter gift guide that shows you a selection of fantastic gifts and where to find them. (See what I did there?!) Just click on the item below and it'll take you to the online shop that sells them!

 
I could have added so many more things to this list but I was already getting a little carried away with myself at this point! Just type into Google the different houses, (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin for all you muggles,) and it'll come up with hundreds of different Harry Potter gift ideas!
 
My favourite gifts on the list are the jumper, the snitch bracelet and Dobby art, what about yours? Let me know in the comments down below!
 
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Festive Blogger Tag


I have never actually done a tag on this blog before, well because I've never been tagged in any! So to change this, I thought I'd make one of my own: The Festive Blogger Tag!

It's pretty much a set of questions related to Christmas that I will answer and then, what I want you to answer! So here goes.

Do you prefer OTT decorations or just a few?

Definitely OTT, I go full out at Christmas already so I can't wait to have my own house to decorate!

What's your favourite Christmas movie?

My all time favourite is Polar Express which I watch only on Christmas eve but my second favourite would probably be Unaccompanied Minors, which is about a bunch of kids in an airport on Christmas eve!

What's your favourite festive food?

Mince Pies of course!

Are you good/bad at present wrapping?

I'd like to think I'm pretty good at it! I do go a little over the top sometimes but it's just so fun!

What's your least favourite thing about Christmas?

Hmm, probably the cost to be honest! I legit have to save my money to be able to afford any Christmas presents!

What's your favourite Christmas song?

All I want for Christmas is a banger but I really enjoy Michael Buble's Christmas (Baby Please Come Home).

Where/how do you usually spend your Christmas?

It changes every year really, I'm usually at my mum's on Christmas day and my Dad's/ Nan's Boxing day, but last year, I travelled to my Auntie's to spend Christmas day with her because my Step Dad was working. This year though I'm spending it at my Dad's in the morning and my Mum's in the evening!

How did you find out about the Santa secret?

To tell you the truth, I don't really remember! But I'd love to know how everyone else found out!

Do you have a new years' resolution? Do you think you'll stick to it?

I haven't actually sussed out exactly what my resolution will be but I do have one every year and usually stick to it pretty well!

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Hmm, this is hard because I have so many but to be honest with you, just the family get togethers and sitting round the tree are what I will always remember!


I'd really love to hear your responses! Either Answer the questions in the comments below or copy the questions over to your blog!

I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!


Gift Wrapping Inspiration

 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration

Wrapping presents is one of the most satisfying things about Christmas. Am I right or am I right?
 
Spending an entire evening, listening to Christmas music and decorating all of the thought-out gifts I have bought is just one of the best feelings ever! But of course, the outside has to be as awesome as the inside!
 
I have made a collection of the cutest and most satisfying-looking gift wraps that I could find. There is something about them all that just caught my eye!
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration

 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
Source - Fellow Fellow - Free Printable Guys!
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
 
Gift Wrapping Inspiration
 
Source - Untraceable
 
 
I think the best ideas to take away from these are the extravagant DIY present toppers, the gold and black colour scheme and the excessive use of different ribbons! I'm praying for the weekend to come so I can get creative!
 
P.S. Definitely check out all the sources, I found some fab blogs while collating these!
 
I hope you have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year!