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It's the most wonderful time of the year... and preparation is key! (and in my humble opinion, just as exciting as the big day itself!) I'm not writing anything groundbreaking here I am merely just listing all the things you can do to make this Christmas the best one yet!
I think the art of sending and posting Christmas cards is dying and that's really heartbreaking. If you were to see my Nan's happy little face when she receives Christmas cards through her letterbox then you would be completely inspired to go home and write to everyone you know and love. Just imagine all the colourful envelopes coming through your letterbox as opposed to boring bills and shiny paper rubbish that we get throughout the rest of the year. Cards needn't be a chore, if you're like me you'll set aside an evening with a bowl full of nibbles, glittery pens and something festive on the TV in the background or you can write a few each evening to take off the pressure and stop getting a wrist ache! I'll pop a link below for the Royal Mail Postage Dates for this year!
Now on to the food! I love having full cupboards and freezer at this time of year so our house guests (expected & non expected) can leave with happy tummies! Mince pies are an absolute must! I'll link my recipe below. You can make these up and before cooking pop them in the freezer ready to be egg washed and baked before people arrive so they enter your home to the yummy smell of them baking. Or for those who are opposed to mince pies (shock but they do exist!) is my soft baked cookies recipe! They can be made up until the ball stage and popped into the freezer too ready to bake in just a few minutes! At Christmas I like to make them with chunks of white chocolate and dried cranberries, delicious.
However it's not all about baking. Store cupboard essentials like Pringles, twiglets and tubs of celebrations are just as important. I buy 1 or 2 of these every week to spread the cost and excitedly watch them fill the pantry (and repeatedly shout at my husband not to eat them!!)
If you haven't already, now is the time to go and support your local butcher and order your turkey or ham! Collecting it a day or 2 before Christmas is always so exciting and really makes me feel so festive (note I send my husband as there is always a queue but it's exciting nonetheless)
That's all for now! I'll be back next week focusing on gift giving!
Merry Christmas!
