Let’s watch Harry Potter, listen to Jingle Bells and create the Christmas atmosphere.

This is our favorite time of the year! What about you?

You might have already have an advent calendar for December. If you don’t, how about making your own?

Do you have some Art Supplies at home? If not get some at Blick shop. Depending on the levels of your artistic skills, you may need pencils, watercolors, crayons, drawing paper or even some more serious mediums.

Such calendars usually start with the first day of December and last till December 24th or 25th. However, if it is too much work (or too late) we suggest making a calendar inspired by a traditional song “the Twelve Days of Christmas”.

There are twelve verses, each describing a gift given by “my true love” on one of the twelve days of Christmas. The twelve days in the song are the twelve days starting with Christmas Day to the day before Epiphany (5 January). The song was created in 1780.

Our idea is to give this calendar as a Christmas present, so that the person can open each “window” every day after Christmas. Inside could be some kind words, tasks or reference to the little gifts.

Have you ever heard of a three gift rule? This rule was a trend a few years ago and we decided to remind you of it

This rule is handy if you have kids. Ask them to organise their wish list in the following way:

• Something they want
• Something they need
• Something they read

This rule exists in a 4 gift version:

• Something they wear

Christmas is time to celebrate and spend time with your family. Taking care of gifts can be exhausting and a little bit of organising and structuring will make it much easier, so you can spend time cooking and resting with your close people.

Moreover, if you make your own wish list, think about structuring it as well. Mention the potential gifts that are/will:

• Practical
• Sophisticated
• Tasty
• Unexpected
• Creative
• Entertain you
• Keep you active and healthy

Also, if you need to choose a present for your friend or a family member who doesn’t have any wish list, think about choosing something belonging to one of these categories. It is much easier to come up with some ideas this way.

Next time we will give you will share some insights!

Here is an idea!

Today we would like to suggest opting for a dessert meal.

Why not making a quick microwave pudding and accompany it with a glass of mulled wine? It is fast, it is easy, it is Christmassy and it is totally affordable.

Christmas Pudding

It’ll take you only fifteen minutes and serve about 6 people!

Take:

3½ oz or 100 g softened butter;

3½oz or 100g cranberry sauce (buy or make it yourself);

2 tbsp. golden syrup;

3½oz or 100 g brown sugar;

2  eggs;

3½oz or 100 g  plain flour;

1 tbsp. mixed spice;

11oz or 300 g mixed dried fruit;

1  peeled and grated apple;

Do:

1. Grease a pudding basin. Stir together golden syrup and cranberry sauce in a bowl. Pour 2/3 of the mixture into  the prepared basin.
2. Beat together the sugar, butter, flour, eggs, mixed spice, grated apple and dried fruit till combined. Place the mixture into the prepared basin. Put a large piece of parchment paper on the top of the pudding to cover the surface.
3. Microwave  for about 9 minutes until firm. Leave for 10 minutes before placing it to a plate. Spoon over the rest of cranberry mixture and serve immediately.

By the way, you can find great British cakes, cranberry sauce, pates and festive drinks here at British Cornershop. They ship worldwide!

What about mulled wine? First of all, decide on wine! Usually they use red wine, however, you can experiment with white wine or cider. The spices are as well totally up to your taste, although traditionally they place orange, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pair it with a fancy barware (or consider this if you are invited for a party and need to prepare a gift). Here is a great website with loads of bar accessories for those who live in Australia – Gifts Australia:

Have you chosen your base wine? So, lets get started!

Take:

Are you ready?

Have you thought about all the details? Time is running out, look here to know how many days, hours, minutes and seconds exactly are left:

Are you celebrating with your family? If yes, consider getting one of these cute Xmas costumes for your all members here at PatPat (or get one as a gift to your neighbors!):

Xmas has always been a family holiday, and whatever the COVID situation is in your country, you may want to spend the whole holiday season just with the people you live close to! Get some affordable decorations at DHGATE together with festive fun masks for your guests/neighbors (if you dare to invite them, of course!):

If you are going to a party somewhere else, think about a shiny costume, you may save it until New Year’s and wear it as well. They have huge discounts on costumes regularly here at Milanoo:

And now time to think about setting your mood to Xmas! Why not watching several holiday movies?

The Snowman

It’s classic, great to watch just before falling asleep:

Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town

Another classic, everyone has to watch!

Four Christmases

A film of 2008 with our favorite Reese Witherspoon with her stage husband Vince Vaughn visit all of their divorced parents!

Love Actually

For many of us this movie is a must during every Xmas holiday season!

How else will you get ready?