I've picked up all kinds of things to help me prepare for Christmas over the last few months, so I thought it would be fun to put together a little haul post to show you the cute things I found. The only problem is, I've been flaring too badly to take pretty photos, so apologies for these truly atrocious, mismatched ones I've had to make do with. I'm hopeless.
I found the cutest kitschy Christmas wrapping paper, and gift boxes by an American brand called Clementine from T. K. Maxx. The gift wrap was only £2.99 a roll for 12m! The boxes are so beautiful. I might keep them to store Christmas decorations in because I didn't find a use for them this Christmas, and I'm not sure I can part with them.
I didn't intend to match my Christmas cards to my gift wrap, but that's exactly what's happened this year. I couldn't resist these pastel pink Nutcracker and Holiday Mug cards. They're so pretty, and a little bit different to what we usually get in the UK.
If you think I was done with the matchy-matchiness, you'd be wrong. I also snagged some paper plates and napkins in the Holiday Mug design for our Christmas Eve buffet, to take some of the strain off with washing up this Christmas. I know they're bad for the environment, but several of us are a bit worse for wear right now, so needs must.
Speaking of napkins, I also found some beautiful Christmas pudding embroidered napkins from Next that kinda work with my Mum's vintage Christmas tablecloth for Christmas dinner. She doesn't want to switch to a new set of table linens, but I was so tempted to get the rest of the set to use one day.
There weren't matching gift tags for the wrapping paper I chose, but I found these adorable present labels on Amazon, which work really well.
I decided to buy Christmas crackers this year, instead of completely making them from scratch, and picked these Scandi crackers on Amazon from a brand called Harvey & Mason. They're a little tacky, but I embellished them with nicer ribbons, and also added some Lindt chocolates, and scratch cards to them, too, and I think they turned out okay.
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a little Christmas tree farm called the Appleton Christmas Barn, and came home with half a dozen new decorations. These starry frosted ones are my favourites. They shimmer in a rainbow of colours under the fairy lights.
In the summer, I bought a couple of cross stitch kits I've had my eye on for years while they were on sale from Cotton Clara. I got the Let It Snow wall hanging kit, and the It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year kit, and I've been having so much fun making them. They're so easy, and ideal for beginners, too. I blogged about the finished hoop here.
You'll be sooo shocked to hear that my purchases also include some new Erstwilder brooches and earrings. I mean, it's totally out of character for me, right? I recently blogged about the brooches here, and earrings here. They're gorgeous, and it's easily one of my favourite Erstwilder Christmas collections to date.
It wouldn't be Christmas without an Advent calendar (or two) to help me count down the days. I treated myself to the OPI Wicked 12 day Advent calendar this year, and I reviewed it- with spoilers- for you guys here.
My Mum also got me a basic Cadbury Advent calendar. It's one I like to get every year, as I sometimes had one when I was little, and the taste of the chocolate takes me right back to childhood Christmases.
I couldn't resist the Owlcrate edition of the new illustrated festive Caraval novella, Spectacular- despite already ordering the Waterstones exclusive. It's one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. The hidden cover, and illustrations are stunning, and I love how the dust jacket looks like a vintage Christmas card. I can't wait to post a proper review of it for you so you can see it for yourself. I had hoped to fit it in before Christmas, but I've been in too much pain to keep up.
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I'm not really a fan of contemporary romance, but everyone kept raving about The Pumpkin Spice Cafe books, so I picked up a paperback of The Christmas Tree Farm to try. I do enjoy cosy books now and again, so I was hoping I might enjoy this one, but holy crap, it was painful. It only took me a couple of paragraphs to confirm that romance novels aren't for me. It was cute, and I enjoyed parts of it, but I also feel like my IQ dropped a 100 points while reading it. But if you enjoy chick lit with some spice, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
My dog, Rosie, loves opening Christmas presents, so I can't help spoiling her with toys and treats at Christmas. I might have gotten a little carried away this year, but she's going to have so much fun tearing them all open. Most of them came from T. K. Maxx and Sainsbury's, who've both had some great bargains on pet toys lately. I had to get her a new Snow Dog, as it's one of her all time favourite toys, and one of the only soft toys she doesn't murder for its squeaker. I'm hoping that will remain true with her new one.
And, naturally, copious amounts of treats have been purchased for the holidays. Besides all the usual favourites, I've picked up some hot chocolate spoons, a caramel Kinder Santa, and Lindt chocolates to try, and had to buy a tin of the M&S Very Merry Munch. Have you tried it? I got a bag for my birthday, and it was amazing. It's basically a sugar-lovers' trail mix of chocolate covered popcorn, plain and chocolate pretzels, and chocolate almonds and peanuts, and it's soooo good. 10/10 would recommend to anyone without a nut allergy.
What's the best festive thing you've bought so far this Christmas?
You Might Also Like
OPI Wicked Advent Calendar Review
Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Christmas Brooches
Erstwilder Merry Kitschmas Christmas Earrings
Cotton Clara It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Cross Stitch Hoop
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