I did a Christmas Tag last year and had a lot of fun! I really wanted to do one this year however, I didn’t want to answer the same questions because not a lot has changed since 2016. So I went on the hunt for a new tag. This is one I found on Root Report. I stumbled across this blog in my search so that’s where you can find the original source for these questions!
Use one noise to describe how excited you are for christmas.
I’m starting to think this could be one for a video. I’ll use this gif instead!
Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?
Me and my sister tend to open one present on Christmas Eve. This present is normally PJ’s from our parents, this is a fairly recent tradition for us. Only over the past three or four years we’ve started this (it sounds like a long time but it’s gone by so fast!). My parents have started opening one gift on Christmas Eve as well, which is sweet.
What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?
I’m looking forward to seeing my Grandma, as usual. When I was younger she and my Grandad would always come round on Christmas Day. My Grandad passed away a few years ago and my Grandma isn’t well enough to come round, so we visit her in her nursing home on Christmas Eve. No matter what, it’s always good to see her.
I’m also looking forward to seeing my family in London over the Christmas period, hopefully before Christmas but if not hopefully after! I’m also looking forward to catching up with friends.
Christmas morning where your only-one-year-younger-sister races downstairs, puts the presents into piles and dictates the order of which they should be opened (.. or is that just my house??).
Christmas dinner is always delicious, and then the standard After Eight mints. The Christmas Movie, which by the time we’ve compromised on one, it feels like another year has passed. Top of the Pops usually comes back for it’s Christmas special.
The pulling of crackers, sharing of the bad jokes, your winnings which someone else will sneak from you before the day is up and charades (there’s always that one person who needs reminding of the rules!). Last year my sister looked up a Trivia Quiz and so me, mum and dad had to partake. It was rather fun, in all fairness. I do love Christmas Day.
Is your Christmas tree real or fake?
Fake.
I know a lot of people love a real Christmas Tree, and on the one hand I understand that. Honestly, I still live at home so I don’t have a say in the matter however, when I move out I’ll probably get a fake tree as well. Personally, I’m not keen on the aesthetics of a real Christmas Tree. Or perhaps I just really love the way mum decorates ours. God forbid we attempt to touch the sacred tree.
In all seriousness, when me and my sister were younger my mum bought us both mini Christmas Trees for the dining room to hang the paper decorations we’d make at nursery or school. At that age I thought it was really cool to have my own personalised Christmas Tree. Now that I’m older… I’m not going to lie if I had a kid I would 100% do the same thing!
What is your favorite Christmas film?
I’ve answered this one before, but it’s still On the Second Day of Christmas. I don’t get to watch it often because it isn’t on DVD (or at least, not in the UK). We usually have it saved to the TV. It’s cheesy and adorable, it has these pictures throughout which are absolutely gorgeous.
I think my second favourite is The Nightmare Before Christmas, with Home Alone 2 coming either a very close third or joint second. Home Alone 2 never fails to make me laugh, I love it so much. I won’t lie, the scene with the bricks gets me every time!
The Nightmare Before Christmas, is it really a surprise that the Christmas film which incorporates Halloween is an all-time favourite? From the catchy music to the gripping tale, I absolutely adore it.
Where do you usually spend your holiday?
Usually I spend Christmas at home with my family. I know some people *ahem*mother*ahem* would prefer to go away somewhere however, I personally love being at home with them and the animals.
I’m not sure it would feel the same going away for the festive season, unless you went somewhere even more festive. For example, for years I’ve said that I would love to spend Christmas and New Years in New York. It looks like so much fun, so festive and, from what I’ve seen, they really go all out. New York would be the only place I concede to travelling to around Christmas.
I would also concede London however, that’s because I have family there and I think it would be really wonderful to spend Christmas Day with them.
What is your favorite Christmas song?
I had this one last year and I had such a hard time choosing a favourite song. I think I chose Happy Xmas (War is Over), which I do love. My favourite Christmas song is always changing. I love Fairytale of New York. Last Christmas. All I Want for Christmas is You. Rocking’ Around the Christmas Tree. Jingle Bell Rock. IT’S CHRISTMAS (What is that song called?) You get the gist, if I carry on it’ll turn into my Christmas playlist!
What is your all-time favorite holiday food/sweet treat?
Difficult, very difficult. In terms of Christmas meal, it’s got to be the stuffing. It’s the absolute best and no-one can tell me otherwise (although Pigs in Blankets come in a close second).
I do like Mince Pies. Fun Fact (well not really, but anyway) we never had Mince Pies in the house growing up and my mum always lead me to believe they weren’t very good. A few years ago I tried one when a colleague randomly brought one to my desk at my first job. THEY’RE GOOD! So good, why my mother felt the need to deprive me of this all these years is beyond me.
We do have the classic chocolate tins though, which are pretty standard along with After Eight mints or Matchsticks.
This might be something that people won’t know, but we also used to have these little football cheese balls. Let me explain. Have you ever had the tuck sandwiches with the cheese flavoured filling? If not then I know that doesn’t help. It isn’t cream cheese, or cheddar cheese, but they’re pretty damn good.
Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?
Tough one, but honestly I love giving gifts. I love the whole process of trying to figure out what to get for someone, wrapping it up and praying to God they like it. I love seeing their face on Christmas Day (or near Christmas Day) either ecstatic or confused, and awaiting an explanation, which always makes me laugh.
What is your favorite thing about christmas?
I love that it usually brings people together. Whether it be by card, phone call, video chat or in person. Sure people can get really stressed around this time of year. Some people hate this time of year, and each to their own. Personally I just love to embrace the madness (that isn’t necessarily just a Christmas motto) and enjoy the festive season for what it is.
Wait until I move out and have my own place, this may be a completely different blog post! (Though I hope not!).
When do you start getting excited for Christmas?
As much as I love Christmas, I don’t normally get really excited until mid-way through December. Throughout November I feel that it’s too early, especially because my Mums birthday is mid-November so I usually need to focus on that. (Plus, my friends new born baby was born beginning of November this year!).
For me it’s around this time. If I’m being completely honest, it isn’t Christmas until I see the Christmas coca-cola advert on TV. Most people have probably already seen it, I am not one of those people. At this rate I’ll have to YouTube it! In all seriousness, I don’t know. At some point in December the festive feeling usually descends on me, like a warmth in the pit of my stomach that makes me say “Now, it’s Christmas”
What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
It’s very difficult to pick a favourite Christmas gift. Growing up I was very lucky, family and friends would go to great lengths to get me and my sister what we’d asked for, or things they knew we’d like. My Grandma and Grandad, for example, would get me and my sister pretty much anything we asked, including one year they got me a video camera.
Last year my sister got me tickets to see Green Day, which was immense. I saw them at Hyde Park, the day was so much fun and it was an unforgettable experience.
Over the years I’ve received various things from my parents including laptops and phones, one year they got me an apple charm for my charm bracelet. It represents New York (The Big Apple) where we all went together in 2010. It was a lovely gift and reminds me of that holiday whenever I see it on my wrist.
My Yiayia knows my love of anything fantasy and pretty. When I was younger I collected these Nemisis Now figures (I won’t lie, I’d probably buy some today because they are gorgeous). One year my Yiayia got me one of a fairy on a horse. I still own it. I love it so much and it was a genuine surprise when I opened it.
What is the worst present you’ve ever received?
I genuinely don’t think I’m lying when I say I’ve never received a gift I don’t like. Perhaps one year I think I got a duvet? I was a teenager and, while I didn’t dislike it, I didn’t have a feeling of absolute love for it, so that’s probably the closest.
As a kid, did a sibling ever receive a present that you wished was for you?
Here’s the thing, me and my sister are very different. At the same time, anything one of us got that my parents or Grandparents thought the other one would like, we either shared or got one each.
This is a birthday example, but one year my Grandma and Grandad got me a TV for my birthday. It was one of those box TV/DVD combo in silver. My sister went through the roof, until she found out that my Grandparents had also bought one for her (not for her birthday, they bought her one for my birthday!)
It makes me smile, honestly. Mainly because that’s how it was with my Grandparents. It may have been one kids birthday but you’d both get presents. The kid who’s birthday it wasn’t might have gotten smaller gifts (although not that particular year) but you got something to open nonetheless.
What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?
Again, I love staying home on Christmas. However, as I said above New York is one place I would love to go around this time of year. Iceland / Finland is another place I’d love to go however, not necessarily exclusively around Christmastime.
Most memorable Holiday moment?
Goodness. I have so many memories, it’s hard to choose just one. My Grandma getting tipsy and dancing around our living room to the Christmas hits. Charades, being together as a family. Mum and Dad are usually in the kitchen, Dads filling up drinks and singing loudly to the songs playing.
I do remember one year I got a guitar for Christmas. No, I cannot play guitar (sorry mum and dad). My Grandad used to sit in the armchair, right opposite the TV. This particular year, without knowing a single song or tune, I picked up my recently given guitar and started playing it for him. I have no idea what I played, I don’t know how he got through it. I do remember he grinned the entire way through.
Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?
I make New Years Resolutions every year!
I’d rather not talk about it.
What makes the holidays special for you?
I’m beginning to feel like these questions are very much the same just with slightly different wording. What makes Christmastime special for me is being with family and friends. They’re everything I need to put a smile on my face. The gifts are great, and giving them are amazing. But honestly, I can go out with my friends and family any day or night of the week and have a blast. Christmas just makes it all that much more special.
What’s the best part about Christmas for you?
SAME QUESTION! (Deep down I’m laughing, I promise!)
You have been granted one Christmas wish…what will it be?
To spend a Christmas Day with every member of my family, and as it’s a wish that includes those who have already passed away.
One of my Grandads, I never got to spend Christmas with him, and there’s some family who I haven’t yet either (or at least, I was too young to remember them). My other Grandad, who I’ve spoken about in this post, I’m lucky to have had the time I did with him and I know that.
Something to take note: That last Christmas with him, I didn’t know it would be the last Christmas. So cherish those moments with your loved ones. I’m so grateful to have so many wonderful memories of him both during Christmas and at other times of the year. He was such a loving and caring person with so many funny anecdotes, he doted on his family. I miss him so much.
So if I had any wish granted, this would be it. Every member of both sides of the family. One of them is Greek so I’d need a venue which could seat a lot of people, but it’d be worth it.
