AD: What I’m Looking Forward To At Christmas

This post contains gifted items

I’ve never REALLY enjoyed Christmas. There I said it. Think of me what you will. But I’m an only child. I don’t have a big family that gets together often at special times of the year and since my grandparents passed away, our Christmas traditions have had to change and always felt a bit different to me.

So since the age of around 13 after my Nan passed away, Christmas was never a big deal to me. I remember I spent the whole Christmas Day one year just chatting to one of my old friends on MSN, who also had nothing to do. It felt like a normal day. And I always envied my other friends at the time who were together with all their siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins and having a jolly good time whilst I was basically on my own.

I realise that sounds REALLY sad but that’s just the way it’s always been for me. Then as I got older, I’ve spent Christmas with my ex-boyfriend’s family. And now as my current partner lives with me and my parents, he’s always with us on Christmas too (as his family are religious and don’t celebrate themselves).

So things have brightened up somewhat.

But since I started blogging, my opinion on Christmas has definitely changed. Everyone’s excitement over Christmas releases, beauty advent calendars, gift guides and the magic of Christmas is INFECTIOUS. And the last few years in particular I’ve found myself actually… looking forward to it a bit? I know. Crazy right.

So although Christmas this year will certainly come with it’s sad moments, as we lost my Granddad in August so it’ll be the first Christmas without him, I’m still really quite looking forward to everything else. Certainly since my Granddad passed away, I’ve sort of, re-learnt the value of making the most of everything and enjoying life.

Something that I’d definitely lost within the last year or so.

And Christmas should be no exception. And the great thing about Christmas is you can take what you want and leave what you don’t with the celebrations. If you’re not religious, it doesn’t matter. If you don’t like mince pies, who cares. If you can’t STAND Christmas songs (like me), stick some headphones in.

So I’m putting it out there… I’m LOOKING FORWARD to Christmas this year. There’s no going back now. And here are all the different things I’m looking forward to at Christmas:

Buying gifts for people

I love buying gifts for people – 100x more than receiving them myself. Any excuse to treat my loved ones and I am all in. I definitely go a little overboard sometimes with gifts and I know it’s not about the “stuff” but it’s about the love and thought that goes into the gifts you’re getting them. But I just love taking the time and effort to find everyone the perfect gifts.

Gift guides and Christmas blog content

I love it when bloggers are into Christmas season because like I said, the excitement is infectious. I know people have mixed opinions on gift guides but I personally love them. I love creating them and I love reading them and I’ve definitely had some good recommendations from them in the past. Bring on all the Christmas blog content!

Related: Christmas Gift Guide 2018

Fairy lights and decorations

Fairy lights and Christmas decorations are just the most magical thing. I love that time of year when the world lights up with fairy lights on the outside of houses and everywhere is twinkling. My Mum and I put the Christmas tree and decorations up together every year, so it’s a nice tradition to decorate the house too.

Christmas jumpers and cozy clothes

I was done with Summer clothes by July. All I wanted to wear was jumpers, tights, boots and scarves. I love all the cozy clothes you can wear during Winter, including Christmas jumpers, which are a crucial part of Christmas, don’t you think? I was kindly sent these 3 Christmas jumpers from the IWOOT Christmas Jumper collection which I was allowed to pick myself (as if that wasn’t obvious!)

I feel like all my choices are VERY ME. Spyro has been my favourite game ever since I was a kid and I’ve completed each one 100% more times than I care to admit. So of course the Spyro jumper had to be one of my choices. And it’s no surprise I went with two of their Disney options too. I’m very happy with my picks!

All these jumpers are SUPER comfy and the inside is so soft and cozy. I picked a ‘large’ as the website says if you want a baggier fit, it’s best to size up. And I’m REALLY glad I did because these fit me perfectly. If anything, I probably could have gone with the size up. So if you’re considering these, keep in mind what sort of fit you prefer!

They have so many different designs to choose from; some really cute and sweet and some which made me howl with laughter (like their “Have a Strong a Stable Christmas” featuring a dancing Teresa May). But they really do have designs to suit all. Including plenty for Disney, Marvel and Star Wars fans!

Fancy 30% off any Christmas jumper from IWOOT? Head over to their collection here and use code XMASJENNY for a discount!

Cheese boards

I’m easily pleased aren’t I? But Christmas is THE TIME of year when it’s cheese boards galore in my house. And I am here for it. No matter how full you are from all the rubbish you’ve been eating over the Christmas period, I find there’s always room for a cheese board after dinner!

Having a break

I rarely give myself a break from work throughout the year. Perhaps a couple of days here and there when I’m away but that’s it. But at Christmas, I usually get all my content scheduled way in advance and then give myself a proper good 2 week break at the end of the year. In blogging, that’s usually a pretty quiet time of year anyway, so it’s the perfect chance to kick your shoes off and chill out.

What are you looking forward to at Christmas this year? Are you a Scrooge or do you love Christmas? What’s your favourite jumper of the 3 I picked? Let me know!

* Items in this post were sent to me in exchange for a feature. All thoughts and opinions are my own.