merry christmas

Thank you to everyone who reads our blog and follows us on our Instagram page we hope you have a lovely Christmas and a fabulous New year too!

Sarah and Holly

      

setting the christmas table

Christmas dinner has to be the highlight of Christmas day for us and with this in mind we think setting the table is as important as the food itself! A beautifully decorated table helps create the festive atmosphere as you, your family, guests or whoever you spending Christmas with, are all seated and ready for the food to be served. Christmas comes but once a year as does a Christmas turkey dinner, so on this one special day of the year indulge and make the effort to create a memorable and fun day! Take some extra time and plan the layout of the table and decorate to create something fun and exciting. Here are a few ideas to make the table extra special. 

Place cards labelled with guests names ensure no confusion over who sits where (make sure you pick wisely to avoid arguments!) DIY or make your own place cards or opt for pre bought depending on your theme or the time you have! Some christmas table confetti scattered on the table adds some extra detail nestled around plates and cutlery! Keep it easy and use a disposable paper tablecloth and napkins so any spills or drops of gravy are not a worry (you don't want to spend the day cleaning up!) And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without crackers and those classic, colourful paper hats. 

We all enjoy a nice drink with our dinner so some festive themed tumblers or wine glasses can hold the perfect Christmas beverage. The centre of the table should be the centre of attention on Christmas day. Scented candles or some seasonal flowers and plants (or both) arranged beautifully together to create a show stopping focal point that is sure to get everyone talking (or those interested in homeware!) Once all the food has been consumed and everyone is full, an after dinner game can be a fun activity (we have picked up the Obama llama one) or maybe take some family photographs with a fun photo prop set or kit. Now, we understand everyone has their own traditions or preferences, but why not try something new or incorporate some different ideas into your Christmas dinner, day and table this year!

Place cards Paperchase £2 / Wooden confetti Not on the highstreet £2.99 / 
Table cloth Ebay £2.79 / Napkins John Lewis £2.50 / Crackers House of fraser £25 / 
Tumblers Next £16 / Table candle centre piece Farthing £9.95 / 
Obama Llama game John Lewis £20 / Photo booth prop set Lakeland £6.87

Sarah and Holly

      

the sledmere christmas craft fair

Today we made the beautiful and scenic trip to Sledmere house to have a wander and look around the Christmas craft fair and we were prepared with our boots, woolly hats and warm coats (it was very windy today in Yorkshire!) Once we had parked up and strolled down the rocky track, we were greeted with lots of multi coloured fairy lights, which were hung everywhere to create a very festive atmosphere! These brightened up the gloomy, dull December day and made us feel very Christmassy! Once inside (there were more lights too) we were confronted with countless stalls (around 100 we believe) and lots of people! 

Stalls were laid out with local crafts, gifts, decorations and food for the festive period. We spotted lots of beautiful pieces and we were very impressed with the prices of items too! Very affordable but also lovely to support local, independent businesses and shops. One of our favourite stalls had to be Twig & Whistle from which we picked up a lovely white star candle holder, with a copper / gold inside. We think this will look so magical when lit up! This was the perfect way to spend a Saturday and a great place to pick up Christmas gifts. And on our way home we popped into another craft shop we spotted, as well as a pub for some lunch! Here are a few photos from today's trip! 

Sarah and Holly
                 

      

with every christmas card I write...

In our now very modern world of technology and gadgets you would think it impossible that the modest traditional Christmas card would still be so popular! Although sending a card does require a greater amount of effort than simply sending a text message or email, you can't deny a card has more thought and meaning. Thats why we like the idea that someone has picked a card and thought about you! There is something very nostalgic and pleasing about writing a card, sticking on a postage stamp (a christmas one of course) and popping it in a red post box! A simple and easy process, which gives a satisfying and warm feeling. In the run down to Christmas receiving a card is a lovely and thoughtful gesture to let someone know you are thinking of them at this time of year. As children we always loved opening the brightly coloured envelopes, to reveal an array of different designs. These were then always hung from string, which our Dad had attached from one side of the room to the other and by Christmas Eve there was quite a collection! 

The selection of card designs out there is vast and we think it is important to pick the right card for the right person. Designs and themes can range from humour, to cute and kitch, glitter, glitter and more glitter, traditional, scenic winter landscapes, modern and simple, charity cards, typographic, food... we could literally go on and on! The best tip we can give you, make sure before buying your cards to write a list of everyone you intend to send a card to (and maybe buy a few extra just in case you forget anyone!) there is nothing worse than running out of cards when you are in card writing mode. Our second tip, invest in a good quality pen and get practicing your handwriting. Now we all type on screens and keyboards constantly, so lets just say the handwriting skills might be a little rusty! Our final words of wisdom, don't leave it until the last minute to send out your cards, you don't want people to receive them on Christmas Eve! 

Christmas wishes Not on the highstreet £2.90 / Leap through the snow John Lewis £4 / 

Pea and pud Clinton cards £2.99 / Ski cat Paperchase £2.25 / Reindeer Whsmith £2.75 / Tinsel and elf M&S £5  

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

the christmas jumper

In recent years Christmas jumpers have become extremely popular and we really do mean popular! Before the new craze began a few years ago Christmas jumpers for us conjured up visions of cheesy 80's Christmas music videos, crazy patterned prints, itchy fabrics and families in matching jumpers on Christmas cards. These stereotypes are long gone with the jumpers back in force in the shops with new, edgy, modern and interesting designs to choose from. 

Now you can pick up a jumper during your weekly food shop at the supermarket. Jumper designs range from the simple and the understated to the kitsch and the bright with all the trimmings, sequins and sparkles you could dream of! We have spotted a few with witty quotes and text too! It seems the Christmas jumper is now a festive staple and makes the perfect and easy outfit choice for office jumper days, parties and of course Christmas Day! (or why not all of December!) 

If you can't find a jumper you like (and you have a spare afternoon) then why not DIY one yourself! Pick up a plain, cheap jumper and head down to your local craft shop. Pop on a Christmas film and go wild with hot glue and decorate to your hearts content! But if you don't have the time or the patience to make one, check out the below items we have picked to help you with this years jumper decision. We have selected a few different styles and designs on the market this year!

Let's 'jump' in! 

Deer jumper Next £32 / Baahumbug Next £32 / Let it snow Asda £16 / 

Mornings New Look £19.99 / Candy cane Topshop £35 / Reindeer Sainsburys £18 

Sarah and Holly

              

      

magic and sparkle

Soon the boxes of Christmas decorations will be brought down from the loft, the dust will be blown away and the boxes opened to reveal the decorations and accessories of Christmas pasts. But as we search for the boxes in the dark and battle with the spiders, there is no doubt that we will start to worry. Will the tree lights work when we plug them in? What if the baubles are broken or were squashed in storage? So each year we like to add or update our existing decorations and incorporate some new pieces to keep Christmas fun and exciting as well as replacing any old or broken items. This will not be difficult as we have spotted so many amazing pieces on the highstreet. 

A new pack of baubles is an inexpensive way to change the colour scheme of the tree and are available in some many different shapes and colours. You could also check out our John Lewis post if you fancy something a little more special and individual! Twinkly wreaths, festive copper star lamps as well as plaques and signs with wonderful festive quotes, work well hung over door handles or swapped with a canvas or picture (no need to put any extra nails in the walls!) Snow globes look great added to shelves or fireplaces alongside current decor. Battery powdered fairy lights (available everywhere!) or garlands draped over mirrors can be easily added for some extra sparkle to a room. Lets not forget tea light holders and candles. These always add some extra Christmas spirit as they flicker away and be sure to pick up some seasonal and festive scented ones too!

Christmas decorating is our favourite so why not go wild, be creative and use Christmas as an excuse to add some magic and sparkle to your home! We have picked out a few examples below to help inspire you! (colour scheme was genuinely unintentional!) 

Noel sign Wilkos £1.50 / Metal star garland Next £10 / Snow globe Next £14 / 
Reindeer tea light holder Habitat £35 / Star lamp Ikea £8 / Candle holder Ikea £2.50

Sarah and Holly

                 

      

alternative advent

December is fast approaching and now is the time to consider the advent calendars that are on offer and which one we want! Advent is not a modern concept and once consisted of families drawing a chalk line every day of December until Christmas Eve! Needless to say advent calendars have developed considerably since then but the essence of the festive countdown and the anticipation of each day remains the same! Each day in the run up to Christmas provides a glimpse and taste of the festivities and the big day ahead! 

Now we are older we feel like advent should be a little more grown up! Advent calendars are now available from a variety of different markets which has allowed for a break in the traditional and the usual. From make up and beauty to beer and candles the selection out there is huge! 

The unconventional calendars that are now available, allow you to try out different brands or high end products with more expensive and luxurious surprises each day! (even better in our opinion!) These alternative advents are often a lot pricier than a standard chocolate one but why not indulge.. 'Tis the season' and all that! (well that's out excuse!) 

The 12 days of Christmas Lush £49.95 / Yankee candle Clintons £24.99 / 
The nutcracker Oliver Bonas £18 / 12 beers of Christmas Not on the highstreet £49.50 / 
Nail varnish Ciate £49 / No 7 25 days of beauty wonders Boots £38

Sarah and Holly

                                 

      

man on the moon: john lewis christmas advert 2015

For the last few years the John Lewis Christmas adverts have never failed to disappoint us and this year was no exception! With the sweet message about making someone feel special at Christmas, this advert follows a young girl who spots an old man living alone on the moon! The song choice (a cover of Oasis), the moral story line, highlighting the issues of isolation and loneliness felt by many older people at Christmas and the friendship between the two characters we think reflects what Christmas should really be about! If you haven't seen the advert then you can watch it below!

We have to admit before the adverts became so huge and popular we had never visited a John Lewis store! Now every year it has become a tradition to buy a new tree decoration to add to our collection! (the choice and selection never fails to disappoint!) We all think that adverts don't work but they have managed to entice us back very easily (once again this year!) using snowmen, bears, hares and cute penguins! Year after year this has worked as we return dazzled by the magical and fantastic adverts we have come to expect! 

The John Lewis Christmas advert always marks the countdown to Christmas for us! Its starts to make us feel festive and seasonal (just a little though.. it is still November!) It prompts us to start writing and jotting down ideas and presents for our loved ones! It's better to be early and prepared so you can enjoy the festive countdown and if you start buying now you wont be disappointed or miss out on the decent stuff! 

We have picked a selection of some of our favourite Christmas decorations and baubles from John Lewis this year. 

Be merry bauble John Lewis £8 / Stripe bauble John Lewis £3.50 / Fox John Lewis £4.50 / 
Stag John Lewis £5 / 3D star John Lewis £4.50 / Gold bauble John Lewis £3.50

Sarah and Holly