10 things I love about the holidays.

In line with my previous post; when things get a little tough, focus on the things you love. Right? Right!

“No better thing to distract you from everything that stresses you out these days (or the terrible cold you currently have 🙋🏻‍♀️), than summing up some of the good,” is the advice I so often give friends who have a tough time in winter. Here’s me, following my own advice for once, and making a list of all my favourite things about this time of year. Here goes!

wrapping gifts.

Even more than finding the perfect gift for the people in my life I love the most, wrapping them up in a fun way is something I always look forward to this time of year. And then neatly setting them up under the tree - preferably well in advance - so I can look at the whole pretty scene and feel quite smug and proud about it all.

quality time with family.

Celebrating Christmas and New Year’s is something I’ve always done with a tight group of family members, and I still love that so much. I’m lucky to be surrounded by a couple of great people I can say or do just about anything around, and in whose company the evening just flies by. The little traditions we’ve established after all those years celebrating together are fun too; from exchanging Secret Santa gifts and a little quiz to pass the time, to watching Peter Pan Goes Wrong (or White Christmas, or…) together on Christmas Day, and listening to some good music while we talk about the past year and the one to come.

reflecting on the past year, and looking forward to the next.

Listing this as a separate favourite, because it’s a lovely thing to do just for yourself, as well. The ending of a year basically begs you to look back on it in a positive way, or can prompt you to think about all the ways you can make the next one better. I totally get that it isn’t always easy to know where to begin or where to focus on, but I find that - for me - fluffy, floaty spiritual tools like tarot cards or astrology can give a lot of insight when it comes to reflecting and planning ahead. As you know, I don’t believe those things hold power over our future in a major way, but I do think and love that the symbolism behind them can dig up questions and things we wouldn’t ever (dare to) think of on our own.

filling up the tree with random fun stuff.

I am the proud owner of a theme-less Christmas tree. It’s just filled with lovely things that I like, are very personal to me, and/or hold a bunch of fond memories. Exactly what a tree should look like, if you ask me, and a bit of a get-to-know-me thing in that way. Take a look!

the better mood most (yes, most) people seem to be in.

The closer to Christmas, the better the moods. Take it from someone who encounters a lot of people at her day job. Perhaps it’s the realisation that most of us have a lot to be thankful for, that hits extra hard during this type of holiday? That we’re lucky to be here, on this planet, in this life, in a relatively stable country, surrounded by relatively stable people? Who knows, but it’s noticeable nonetheless.

all the pretty lights and heavenly scents.

Whether it’s outdoors and in the streets, or inside my own apartment; I love love LOVE the holiday vibe you get by just adding lots and lots of lights everywhere. The first thing I do the minute I come home from work is lighting as much of them as I can, often leaving them on when I have to go out for a bit (when it’s not too long, of course), just so I can get home to absolute cosiness later. Add to that all of the scents that are typically Christmas (baked oranges courtesy of the garland I make every year, pine, cinnamon!) and I’d happily stay in for the rest of the year. If only I could smell them right now. Haha. Ha. Ha.

slower living in between days.

For the past couple of years, I’ve been lucky enough to be able to take some time off for both Christmas and New Year’s, leaving me with some incredibly lazy days in between. It’s the one time in the whole year that I don’t work at all. No day job, no illustrations, no e-mails. Just eating and drinking and couch-hanging, and movie-watching and - ok, ok - MAYBE occasionally drawing for myself and really taking the time to figure out where to next. You could call it ‘living fully and solely on your own terms’, and I can’t frickin’ wait.

the music.

I’m sorry, but I won’t ever understand why you’d want to avoid Wham!’s iconic Last Christmas for as long as you can, and I’ve got the shirt to prove it. Fairytale of New York is a forever-fave, as well, but don’t worry: I’ll be sharing my personal playlist again next week!

the movies.

There’s so many nostalgic holiday movies I want to revisit each year, but so little time! Having to choose between them whenever I have a moment to really sit down and enjoy one is absolute torture.

the clothing.

From cosy holiday sweaters (ugly or otherwise), to putting together a festive outfit for all the parties I get to go to; I love it all. I haven’t bought anything new in that last category this year, so I’m looking forward to reuniting with some past favourites soon.

q || what’s your favourite thing about the holidays?

Whatever it is, or however you’re experiencing this year’s festive times; I truly hope you can make the most of them!
Cuz you totally deserve to, you know. ♡

Love, always.