Ho! Ho! Ho!
{Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock!}
Busy packing, gifts, and treats are piling, and nothing beats the most exciting season of the year!
We are just adapting to the new reality. Now the last quarter of the year is yet to come. The smell of the pine trees, twinkling lights, Christmas-themed interiors to a long list of names awaits to be labelled. We celebrate Christmas together with the people important to us, those who are away and from the other side. The joy it brings, warm our hearts, and a toast for a year that is full of twists and turns.
Have you listed down your plans? What to buy? Where to go?
Let us get started!
10 Things to Prepare before Christmas (even though it is October)
1.Clean the house
Preparing for the décors and arrangements will mean new space for bits and pieces. It is essential to plan the themed-interiors with a clean and ample place to hang those Christmas lights and lanterns.
2.Where to spend the holiday
Invitations, family reunions, and special occasions combine as one when spending it with family. Good to know that we book that ticket ahead and plan if we are going out of town to avoid the rush and offloads.
3.Consider budget and what to buy
When buying things at this moment, it is advisable to have a list of what to purchase and needed for the preparation. Many people are being smacked with left and right SALE, spending here and there without ticking the essentials. Get that pen and paper ready to start listing until the budget works for you.
4.Buy or build a gingerbread house
A fun way for a family-bonding event, make this or buy a gingerbread house that is edible(of course). Kids would not resist taking it down until it drops. Cookies are best-shared goodies.
5.Check used décor and recycle
Open that boxes where we hid all of them a year ago. Learn to innovate and recycle. Call the kids and the man of the house to participate in some retouch or repaint, one way to cut some expenses and save it. Do not limit hallways, windows, doors, or even sidewalks from being decorated with beautiful lights. It is good to decorate our souls with the true Christmas spirit, too.
6.Wear a Santa hat or Christmas-inspired attire
It reminds us of our childhood days that when holidays are around the corner, we thought Santa Clause is coming to give us our most wanted presents. Wearing something like this is more fun!
7.Make a playlist
Playing your favourites and the best Christmas songs you created is more appreciated. Imagine while having a sip a cup of tea under when snowing outside, that feel-good and groovy vibes. I love anything by Celine Dion and Bruce Springsteen for Christmas! My very first-holiday fashion show at 16, I dashed down the runway to Bruce Springsteen’s Merry Christmas Baby and I’ve been hooked since! I can name some for suggestions:
-All I want for Christmas is You
-Silent Night
-Last Christmas
-Jingle Bell Rock
8.Create DIY postcards
A heart-warming greeting card will go a long way to carry those sweet messages. Grab your art kit and stick those arts and crafts. Cut-outs will do, as long as your creativity goes beyond.
9.Choose one family (not related to you) whom you may surprise for a Christmas pot luck
The true meaning of Christmas is sharing and giving. People would be happier when they least expected of some neighbourhood generosity.
10.List your season goals and personal goals
Prepare ourselves for this holiday season not just with all the list of the things we should do but it is more important if we put more effort into what our heart desires. Do we want to bring our family together? Have we thought of fixing some misunderstandings? Or maybe looking up to some changes we wanted to achieve so that as the new year starts, a whole new beginning is a new life worth living.
Indeed, busy is the most useful words at this moment even we are prepared for everything. While we are all talking about these, let’s have a glimpse at what is it like in other places Christmas is celebrated.
….And the countdown begins, 85 days to go before Christmas!
There are different Christmas traditions and ways how to celebrate it in different countries. Bringing every family and all the people enjoy the moment while having sumptuous food, exchanging presents, and giving warm hugs to each person we love.
In the United States, Thanksgiving in November marks the official holiday season while in Italy, decorations are being displayed on the 8th day of December. It is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. As English Christmas tradition preceded also early in December where advent calendars and candles count down the days to Christmas Eve. Trees, houses, backyards were dressed and decorated. Traditionally, on the 24th, Father Christmas visits down chimneys to leave a special gift for children that are on the “good” list. Turkey is the centrepiece during dinner. Along with the games and excitements, a Queen’s Speech comes at 3 pm on Christmas Day.
In Malta, the night of Christmas is celebrated by placing a figure of Jesus on the main altar to act as a central focus for the event, and this tradition continues with three Magi figures placed in the crib at Epiphany. During lunchtime, Maltese enjoy the traditional gatherings, famous for the sheer amount of food. Indulge and spend a wonderful dinner with the largest capon roasted with vegetables and potatoes followed by the Treacle Ring and washed down with hot Chestnut and Chocolate beverage.
Every 1st day of September, in the Philippines, radio stations play Christmas songs which Filipinos believes is the start of the holiday season. People celebrate the formal Christmas season on the 16thof December where they go to the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses and last until the Christmas day.
BEST GIFT IDEAS FOR HOLIDAYS!
How about a Christmas wish list (include mine )? It is a better way of making someone smile is when you saw your name in that gift under the Christmas tree. Buy that perfect personalized present for someone you love. Make sure to keep your list complete.
Here are the best gift ideas that you may consider giving which may be on someone’s wish list, too! (mine is #16)
1.Apple AirPods Pro
2.Herschel Supply Sutton Duffle Bag
3.Dear Girls: Intimate Tales, Untold Secrets & Advice For Living Your Best Life by Ali Wong
4.Cole Haan ZeroGrand Wingtip Derby
5.Tile Sticker Bluetooth Tracker
6.BruMate Winesulator
7.Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau De Parfum
8.Nintendo Switch Lite
9.Chateau Minuty ‘M’ Cotes De Provence Rose
10.Fitbit Versa 2 Fitness Smartwatch
11.Mealthy Crisplid
12.UGG Miranda Robe
13.Wall Chess Set
14.LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle
15.These Cards Will Get You Drunk Game
16.Benheart USA Leather Bomber Jacket (mention new-let them know I sent ya)
17.Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K with Alexa Voice Remote
18.Ember Smart Travel Mug
19.Nike Joyride Run Flyknit Sneakers
20.Google Pixel 4 & Pixel 4XL
Have a Happy Holidays! Spend this special moment with all the precious people in your life. A silent and heartfelt prayer will sum up everything. Whatever we are facing in the future, let us not forget there is “Someone” up there who watches and guides us all throughout the year.
As always, for more ideas, visit my Instagram account at http://Instagram.com/luxelife9, feel free to follow and engage with me there as well.
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