Every year when Christmas rolls around, I literally find it impossible to contain my excitement. Christ and New Year is absolutely my favourite time of year – above and beyond any other month / season.

I have two very different traditions for Christmas and New Year though, so I thought I’d share them.

Christmas traditions….

Before Christmas comes, in December I basically spend every weekend soaking up everything Christmassy EVER in London. That includes Winter Wonderland (this weekend), any german market or festive market, Covent Garden (done), Oxford Street lights (done) decorating our tree (done) and just general merriment and mostly, Mulled Cider.

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Then, Christmas Day and Boxing Day is all about snuggling up on the sofa with family (with the radiators on full blast), opening presents and then cooking a massive Christmas dinner, which we sit down to eat at around 3pm. We’ve usually eaten too many sweets to be hungry before then anyway.

Following this will be lots of Baileys and lots of crappy Christmas themed movies. YAY!

My Christmasses growing up were just as lovely, and it’s those years I remember the most. This would (of course) all take place in our family-home – which was a beautiful cottage in the North of England, with picture-perfect countryside views, and amazing countryside walks just a step out of the door. We’d all go out and walk the dog and sometimes even go sledging on the golf course (if it had snowed).

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I also found some research by them too – from a winter-snug survey they did (best name for a survey like ever, right?) which listed the top things people want during a snuggly winter getaway…

1.       A log fire (74%) – Seems reasonable! I know my family hour had one, and it was magic! And also – it’s how Santa visits!

2.       A steaming pot of slow-cooked stew (45%) – Made by Mum of course!

3.       Hot chocolate (43%) – CADBURYS FOR ME!

4.       Large bath (42%) – Yes, yes a thousand times yes. How else will I warm up my numb bum from sledging and snow angels?

5.       WiFi (39%) – Because it might be Christmas but I still need Instagram. 

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Now onto my New Year traditions… 

If Christmas is all about family, then New Year is all about Pad and I. It’s our special night together, because we don’t spend Christmas day together. For the last 4 years we’ve spent every new year’s eve in a different country watching a different iconic bell-chime.

The most memorable was Sydney (how could it not be, really?!) and we’ve both agreed that was hands-down one of the best nights ever. We watched the fireworks from the perfect spot ever in the Botanical gardens, and had the best view of the fireworks imaginable.

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Last year we stood in the freezing cold on a London rooftop and watched the wheel light up from up high. It was magical, and we saw every firework display in London light up around us too.

This year, we’re going to NYC! We’ve both been dreaming of this one for ages – and couldn’t be more excited. It’s another one to tick off the list!

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I think next year we might have to do Vegas! 😉

What are your traditions around this time of year? How will you be spending December and January?