'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

... And I'm back in my house. Yes, I'm back home in London finally, after staying in Leeds for work. Preparations have been in full swing today. There's been last-minute present-buying, a few more decorations thrown up, and the pile of presents under the tree is slowly growing. (Although my parents still do the overnight-Santa thing. Cute, I know.)


I had a whole post lined up about cute, unorthodox Christmas decorations I'd seen at Modcloth (here), Starbucks (here) - seriously, and at Christmas Unwrapped. But I'm super-disorganised lately and now it's way too late so instead I'll share a bit of my Christmas Eve with you. 


Note: We go all-out traditional in my house so it's chestnuts roasting on an open fire, etc. And yes, it's looking like it'll be a white Christmas this year. There's a reason I get referred to as Tiny Tim a lot around this time of year, and it's not just because I'm short. Christmas-cynics amongst you, prepare to feel queasy...


Going home for Christmas...

Leaving Leeds (so many books!)

Leaving Leeds.
Christmas tree in the office district.

Leaving Leeds, sky so pretty and wintery.

Wrapping the presents.

I am the worst present-wrapper in the world; this took me forever.
And yes I know the paper's not very festive but it was all I had!

Some more of my wrapping 'skills'; there are
many more little piles like this one - I go a bit overboard
buying gifts.

The Food...

Love them or hate them, the brussel sprouts are
prepped for tomorrow!

Chestnuts. My absolute favourite.

Clementines... A Christmas staple.

Nuts. Also, for some reason, a Christmas staple.

Ok, it doesn't look like much but once heated
it will be Mull and it will be yummy.

RECIPE: 1 ltr apple juice, 1 cinnamon stick, 2cm strip of fresh ginger, 3tsp demerara sugar, apple slices studded with cloves - and, for a less virgin mull (a slutty mull?), some whisky or brandy. Heat over the stove and voila!

Preparing Christmas Eve Dinner (yes, that's
a thing)... Stubborn Pumpkin.

Table set for Christmas Eve Dinner. Tomorrow's table setting
will be much more festive, honest.

Pretty pathetic attempt at a "centrepiece".
The tealights are John Lewis' Vanilla and Amber.
They smell delicious.

The decorations...

Decorated stairwell.

Decorated Stairwell.

Stairs to the third floor, also decorated.

The beginnings of the 'open fire'.
I'm sure it will be sooo delightful. 

Look the part...

Festive headgear. Because I look so joyous.
(Yes, they're Manchester United reindeer antlers
... I'm so trashy it's not even cool.)

My rather festive slippers.

And finally, of course, the tree...

Merry Christmas!

Hope you're as excited for tomorrow as I am! Have a wonderful day, whatever you celebrate and however you celebrate it.
Merry Christmas Eve!!

Ciao for now,

Charlotte

The Twelve Songs of Christmas

We've reached that stage now where Christmas songs are EVERYWHERE. Unlike some Ebenezer Scrooges, I don't mind that - puts me in a Christmassy mood. There's a reason I frequently get referred to as Tiny Tim around Christmas (and it's not just because I'm short).

But even I can find it a little tiresome hearing the same songs repeatedly - in shops, at work, on TV, on adverts, in the car...

So the last few Christmas Eves, while I've been holed up in my room with a big mug of cinnamon coffee and acres of wrapping paper, I've had my own Christmas playlist on.


And I am going to christen today Music Monday.

So here's my 12 absolute favourites: (because 12 is a Christmassy number)

1. Otis Redding - White Christmas

...just divine.

2. Jimmy Eat World - Last Christmas

A cover of the Wham classic with a slightly dialled-down cheese factor but somehow a little more bounce. (Not sure what the video is about... it's the only one I could find.

3. Death Cab For Cutie - Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Mellow and sweet like roasted chestnuts. (I'm also a fan of the Mariah Carey version, though that might be more the musical equivalent of eggnog.)

4. Bright Eyes - Blue Christmas

Definitely nicked this one from The O.C.! (The Elvis Presley version is obviously wonderful too, duh.)

5. Owl City - The Christmas Song

Dead sweet. It's rare that Christmas songs acknowledge the Christian roots of the holiday, but Adam Young manages it in true Owl City style without being too schmultzy.

6. Low - Just Like Christmas

Jolly and alternative, definitely onto a winner.

7. Temptations - Silent Night

The kind of falsettos most men can only dream of.

8. Dean Martin - Let It Snow

Because a bit of Dean never goes amiss. A classic. "Well the weather outside is frightful, but the fiiiire is so delightful...", warms my cockles.

9. John Mayer - I'll Be Home for Christmas
Gorgeous man with a gorgeous talent.


For some reason I absolutely cannot embed videos any more (sad Charlotte), so follow this link or the one above instead.

Apologies for the number of sad-themed Christmas songs on here; I have to admit that if I want jolly at Christmas I head straight for the usual suspects, a few of my favourites being:

10. Mariah Carey - All I want for Christmas is You

11. Bobby Helms - Jingle Bell Rock

12. Jackson 5 - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Whichever Christmas songs are your favourite, enjoy singing along at the top of your voice... that's what they're for. (And apologies again for the video fails, multiple.)

Ciao for now,

Charlotte