Blog This: Challenge #24 - The Real Meaning Of Christmas.

Before I start, just to get it out of my system: 10 Days!!! *Squeeee!*

I'm actually quite pleased that I found out about NaBloPoMo [Thanks to seeing it over at Courtney's Blog]. I have found so many interesting blogs to follow on there & I'm glad a few of you like reading mine, it really encourages me to write in here everyday. Unfortunately since I haven't got anything very interesting to say today - I've stolen this idea from this blog & I think you all should do it!

What Does Christmas mean to you & your family?
Got a favourite Christmas memory?
Have you got some traditions?
Who will you spend it with?
How are you decorating?
What will you cook?

Christmas - To me Christmas is definitely about spending time with those you love the most, this to me being both our families, Dave & our friends [oh & Tats of course]. I love the feeling that a new year is also about to begin & there's an oppertunity for you to 'start fresh' making resolutions & so on. The main thing is definitely the family/friends all coming together, oh & the presents...

Christmas Memories - My favourite christmas memories are probably from when I was a child, when I actually believed in Santa Claus & the 1st of December always seemed like a lifetime away from the 25th. I remember the presents I received when I was younger - my first bike, Sylvanian Families figures, my first disney dolls [Jasmine & Aladdin back in 1992] & of course when I got my Playstation 2 with a Tv/dvd combi back in 2000. I actually went downstairs at 3am & set it all up there & then.

Another memory is definitely my dad coming in EVERY christmas morning at 7am, video camera in hand to film me & my brothers waking up & keeping the camera rolling when we opened our presents. I used to hate this & get so embarrassed while he was filming - but now I'd love to watch those tapes! I also have other memories of just sitting with my brother under the Christmas Tree & tearing little holes in the corners of each present to see what other people had bought us. Also just sitting in front of the log fire with my mum, doing jigsaws while it was snowing outside [Yes, it did used to Snow on Anglesey when I was younger].

Traditions - One tradition was the video camera thing. As much as we hated it, my dad would film us every year. I remember if the video camera wasn't available he's just have the ordinary one for pictures, there really was no escape from any kind of camera in our house on Christmas day. Nowadays, it's me who's obsessed with taking pictures, lol. When Dave & I started to living together 5 years ago, we began our own tradition. Every year so far, we have taken turns in who's parents' house we go to for Christmas dinner. This year it will be my parents' turn for christmas dinner then Dave's parents for boxing day.

We'll will be spending Christmas 2009 at home this year. It will be our first Christmas in our new house, which makes it extra special. Like I mentioned, we will be going to my parents' house for Christmas dinner & then on Christmas day we'll be seeing Dave's parents too, to open our presents there.

Decorating - I have said this & I will say it again. This year I am going to go crazy with Christmas decorations. David, you have been warned. Last year, we were living in the chalet so obviously we only had a small tree & small decorations. This year, I have a whole house! My mum has told me that I can have her Christmas Tree [It is a georgeous fake & huge]. So I'll be decorating that with the usual tree ornaments, lights & chocolate etc. I think I'll put it in front of the main bay window so you can see it from the outside. Then I'm just going to go tinsel/fairy light mad around the house & I also have a cute Santa Claus decoration that you can adjust to be taller [In the pictures below]. I've seen different versions of these this year, I'd definitely like to get some more, sorry Dave.

Cooking - Just like the decorations, I am going to go crazy with the food. I was thinking about cooking Christmas dinner here this year, but we decided to leave it to the experts [it would be my worst nightmare if it all went wrong]. So, instead I'll probably have a christmas buffet, with lots of your typical 'party food' like homemade sausage rolls, volauvents, cupcakes... etc. I'll definitely have to have more people over for Sunday dinner as one of my new year resolutions, so that I can have plenty of practice & who knows, I might be brave enough to cook Christmas dinner next year!

That's certainly filled up some blogging space, but just because I want to sneak a few more pictures in, here's a picture I found from last christmas & one taken earlier...

One thing that will be going into Tatty's stocking this year - Indestructable Dog Toys. Like this one, or this - he loves squeaky toys but within minutes, the squeaker is usually swallowed.