Well, actually, its not, its a couple of weeks before. But, as much as the say itself bares the label of Christmas day, to me it is a month or so long event of festive cheer, love, fun and cheesy music. Its connotations for me are only really positive. This sometimes is through the trips specifically made to seek decorations, presents or visit local and far attractions. The main part of Christmas for me is the love that is shown. Not in a materialistic way, but in a thoughtful, putting-effort in sort of way. This can come from family, friends and sometimes even strangers.
Its the time of the year I appreciate most. America has Thanksgiving and due to Christmas somewhat bookmarking the year, I use the time to reflect on things that have happened in the year gone by and give thanks to how lucky I am. I'm very fortunate in my job within education that the institute I work in supports various charities of those less fortunate by donating presents, making reverse advents and sending cards round the world to give hope during this time of the year. People naturally would associate Christmas with those closest and their own loved ones, but by showing that little bit of love to a stranger or another human you may not know at Christmas can really make all the difference to someones day, week or month.
This year on a personal level, I have decided to spend my time with my family due to an event not too long ago. I wanted to make this festivity and joyous time of year as some sort of dedication and something to remember for the most positive of reasons. With my wonderful girlfriend, we have carried out trips both short and afar covering Fareham to see the Coca Cola truck, Southampton IKEA to top up our Christmas decorations and London to follow our annual tradition of visiting Winter Wonderland.
This year, the Christmas spirit ignited whilst actually at a fireworks night in early November! The spectacular display was based in Hayling College run by the charity Hi-5. Along side this event was a Christmas Market that had a varied assortment of gifts, decorations and crafts. It gave both myself and my girlfriend a great start to start present shopping! Then during the end of the month, we found ourselves in need of getting some additional baubles for our tree that we had bought about a week previous. We suddenly found ourselves travelling all the way to Southampton to go to IKEA! It really is any excuse with us to take a visit! With a slight disappointment of not finding many decorations till the end, we enjoyed the products and got a few ideas about a possible move this coming year... Such was social media's intelligence, it noticed we were in the mood to enjoy more christmassy things, so it mentioned that the VERY famous Coca Cola Truck was in Whitely. A short 15 min hop down the M27 and we arrived to explore the shops and get that must have picture with such an icon! The same day, we walked up the local Toby Carvery to meet up with two of my best friends for the annual Christmas Meal we share. After an evening of laughs, good food and cracking chat, we slept very well.
The day after was more relaxed, but still gleeful and full of pep. We decided 1st December was the day we would create our tree! A very exciting prospect, we played music alongside to keep us in the upbeat, positive feeling we had felt the previous day. Our objective was to keep it classy and I truly believe we achieved it! With a warm white set of lights and silver/white baubles adorning the tree, we created something we are proud of and something we look at each evening with happiness. The proof is in the Christmas Pudding (I mean picture!) below.
For the main event of our season's celebrations, we booked a trip to London to visit the expansive and bright Winter Wonderland. This year, after saving quite a bit of money, we felt we would try and enjoy the trip that little bit more, splashing out a little on ourselves. This started with the Bavarian Village where we decided on a Bratwurst each and to share some chips. Although what we thought was ketchup was put in the dip tray, it turned out to be curry sauce. Albeit a mistake, it turned out to be a tasty one and gave us plenty of warmth on a crisp, clear but cold day. To add to this we also purchased some cider and stood by the open fire pits that scattered the area. Winter Wonderland is a great place to explore due to its various themes and attractions and although we didn't venture onto the massive (and sometimes expensive) rides, we watched people get thrown high up in the air in a ball, swung round on a big arm taking in the noises of sheer excitement and sometimes fear! We swung ourselves by the ice rink, watching both people with expertise and complete beginners attempt to circle round the centrepiece. Some people managed this with graceful ease, others tried but spent half the time flat on the ice or slamming against the side. The ambience was one of enjoyment though with laughter filling the air. By this time the sky had started to darken and filling out the horizon was an orange glow that stayed for a good hour or so. This made for the most stunning set of pictures!
Coming towards twilight now, the lights on the rides started to illuminate our surroundings giving a furthering glow to the landscape. A perfect time to really test my Google Pixel 3's camera and its capability with low light. Safe to say I was very please with the results! Hand in hand we walked round the market part of the park and retrieved our annual engraved horseshoe. Meandering round the rest of the park, we made sure we took in the sights, sounds, smells and wonderment of the area, just taking in everything. Personally this was my favourite year in four years of going purely down to the fact we had not one worry, concern or negative thought. Reaching the Northern Exit (I think the Red Exit), we headed towards Oxford Street. As it was a Monday we actually weren't too bad off for foot traffic considering Christmas was getting ever closer. Mapping out our journey, we decided to visit Selfridges, The Disney Store and Zizzi. Selridges reminded us both of the film ELF. After reaching the 4th floor past all of the designer gear, we had made it to the toy/Christmas area. We both gasped in amazement at its similarity to the store in ELF. It was filled with oversized toys, the shiniest of baubles and staff everywhere having fun using the products. We eventually spotted a air hockey table and started to play being the competitive people we are! Shortly into our match, the store's Santa and Elf came over to cheer each of us on to win! It was a very bizarre circumstance!
We left Selfridges feeling quite overwhelmed at the affluence needed to afford quite a few of the items, but also, more importantly, having enjoyed ourselves. We couldn't not visit the Disney Store too. Being the biggest one in the UK spanning over 3 floors, we had a look for our favourite films, mine being Hercules. I managed to secure a Hades pin! YAY! Just as you'd expect, we left there feeling very nostalgic and also very happy too! To Zizzi we went. Arriving, we suddenly both realised that it was the exact same Zizzi we had visited on our trip to London the year before after Winter Wonderland too. After a beautifully cooked meal, we left with ample time to reach the train from Victoria to Portsmouth. Another beautiful, wholesome Christmas day.
Finally, and up until today, the last (ironically) Christmas themed activity was a trip to see the film Last Christmas. Based on the music by George Michael and WHAM!, it crossed the lines of a drama, love story, comedy and a classic Christmas film. With the music put in subtly and in all the correct places, it seemed very well structured with the perfect song playing during the climactic and heart-wrenching end to the story. Having discovered it had been co-written and produced by Emma Thompson, I realised the comedy and emotional tones were placed with her expert eye and guile. Her character specifically was also one of my favourites in the film. A very good film that I will most certainly be purchasing when I have the chance to.
Which brings me up to now. A couple of weeks to go till Christmas day. Remembering those not with us and giving thanks for those memories I have will always be important to me, which is why this season more than any other I am grateful to be able to make the memories with loved ones in a fun filled, festive way. So to anyone reading this post, truly have the most wonderful Christmas and show love those near and far as you could be making a massive difference to their lives. Make memories, laugh, live and enjoy.
Merry Christmas to you all!
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