My Writing Ramblings: My Christmas Traditions

As I get older, Christmas traditions have become all the more important to me.

When I was growing up, it was the magic of waiting for Father Christmas. We’d leave the milk and biscuits and we’d get so excited when there would be presents waiting for us under the tree in the morning.

My Mum would hide a stocking filler and give us clues to find it. Then my Grandparents would arrive at some point.

I still have the same level of excitement about Christmas. some of the old traditions are still there joined by some new ones.

Family must be involved in my day, even if I am working. I have been known to make an eighty mile round trip after a night shift on Christmas Day so I can spend time with family.

Most of my traditions usually begin on 1st December once National Novel Writing Month is over. This is when the Christmas music is transferred to the iPod, the Christmas themed mugs come out, the Christmas phone case is used, Heart Xmas is set in the car and this is when we buy our tree. A real tree can’t be beaten.

Once my husband and I have the usual ‘can you get the decorations from the loft’ conversation, he and I both decorate it with a Christmas film or music on in the background.

I am not ashamed to admit that I still obverse the tradition of an advent calendar. Chocolate is chocolate after all. The amount of willpower I need to not eat it all at once though. Ha-ha.

Christmas Eve is my favourite day. It’s the anticipation for the day to come. We’d always get a takeaway (something that has continued to happen I’m happy to say,) spend time together. This was also when my Mum would let us open one Christmas present. The boy and I still do this now.

Christmas morning used to involve a mad rush downstairs, We’d have some bucks fizz, when I was old enough to obviously and we’d all open our presents together. Lots of conversations would happen at once.

Nowadays, it’s slightly less manic. The boy and I will open our stockings first thing and then we open everything else once we’re with his parents.

Over all, I adore the atmosphere of Christmas Eve and Day and it’s these traditions that help make my Christmas.

Some of them are old, some are ones that my husband and I have founded over our time together but all are ones I love, like the season.

What are your traditions?

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.