#atozchallenge X is for Xmas

Today I'm continuing with the A-Z Blogging Challenge! The aim is to write a post for every day of the month except for Sundays, with each post representing a different letter of the alphabet. This year, since I've just become a mum for the first time, my theme is: 'an A-Z of Newborn Care'. I'll be talking about all the highs and lows of parenting, sharing things that have been useful for me and posting some cute pictures.

For the letter 'X' I have chosen to talk about Xmas (Christmas) because I couldn't think of anything else vaguely baby-related apart from xylophones and what could I write about those? X is hard!

Merry Christmas!

It's finally Christmas Eve and Santa will soon be on his way. I'll be taking a break from blogging over the next few days to spend some time with my family. I hope to be back soon, but all will depend on when my baby decides to make an appearance. I'm one day overdue now, so it could happen at any time! We're hoping for one last peaceful Christmas before the sleepless nights begin, but we shall see! Wish me luck and I will be back with an update soon, hopefully.

In the meantime, I wish all my readers and fellow blogging buddies a happy and peaceful festive season, whatever holiday you celebrate.

My Top Ten Christmas Films

One of my favourite things to do at this time of year is to get cosy on the sofa in my pyjamas (preferably with a nice mug of hot chocolate) and put on a fun, festive film to get me in the mood for Christmas. There are so many Christmas films around now, but I always seem to come back to my old favourites and it just doesn't feel like Christmas without them.

Below is a list of my top ten Christmas film recommendations. I hope you enjoy.

Last Minute Gift Guide Part 4: for Fans of Game of Thrones

Welcome to the fourth and final part of my last minute gift guide, which focuses on gifts for fans of Game of Thrones, or the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Below are some of my recommendations for GOT merchandise that you should be able to get hold of quickly in-store or through Amazon Prime next-day delivery.

Happy Shopping!

Last Minute Gift Guide Part 2: for Harry Potter Fans

Welcome to the second part of my last minute gift guide, which focuses on gifts for the Harry Potter fan in your life!

Assuming they already have all the books and DVDs in the series, below are some of my recommendations for HP companion books and merchandise that you should be able to get hold of quickly in-store or through Amazon Prime next-day delivery.

Happy Shopping!

Last Minute Gift Guide Part 1: for Book Lovers

Still hunting for a last-minute gift for the book lover in your life? Don't panic, there's still time to find a gift they'll love just in time for Christmas.

Below are some of my recommendations for gifts that book lovers of all kinds will appreciate. You should be able to get hold of these fairly quickly in-store or through Amazon Prime next-day delivery.

Happy Shopping!

Triple Chocolate Christmas Cookies!

Yesterday I felt like doing some Christmas baking so I had a go at making some triple chocolate cookies. They turned out pretty well, even if I do say so myself.

Kids would easily be able to join in with this recipe and the cookies would make nice gifts for family and friends if decorated and boxed.

Below is the recipe I used:

Preparing for a special Christmas or New Year delivery

Sorry I've been away for so long. November seemed to fly by in a whirl of parties, meals and appointments, and so far December is going just as quickly. My main excuse is that I've been busy preparing for our new arrival-our little one is due on December 23rd, so as I write this we only have a week to go (although I suspect he or she will carry on the family tradition of being nearly two weeks late). 

My nesting instinct has definitely kicked in and I've been stockpiling supplies, washing clothes, packing my hospital bag and preparing the nursery. I've also had a major-de clutter to make way for all the baby stuff, so I've spent many evenings and weekends sorting boxes to donate to charity or listing things to sell on e-bay. I managed to get ready for Christmas super early this year, with all my shopping done, presents wrapped and decorations up by Sunday 6th. Normally I'm more of a panic-buy-on-xmas-eve kinda girl, so I feel very organised for once.

Stacking the Shelves (8) Christmas Haul 2014

Today I'm taking part in a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you'd like to take part please visit the launch page and sign up with the linky on Tynga's latest post.

Festive Quotes from Literature

It's Christmas Eve! Eek! I've enjoyed a lovely week of parties and meals with my friends and family and after spending today with my in-laws I'm now getting ready for Christmas Day at my mum's and Boxing Day at my Dad's. I love this time of year-the decorations, the pretty lights, the delicious food, the cheesy music-everything feels cozy and magical. I especially enjoy switching off from technology and spending time playing board games and watching films with my family. So for the next few days I'll be doing just that, but I'll be back soon to post about my New Year goals and sign up for all those reading challenges.

I'm leaving you with some of my favourite Christmas quotes from literature: 

Operation Christmas Child 2013

My box

This year me and my partner decided to take part in Operation Christmas Child, a project run by the charity Samaritan's Purse. Every year nearly a million children and adults across the globe wrap and pack shoe boxes full of gifts to send to disadvantaged children in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. If you want to join in this year you don't have long left-just until Monday.

Spoiled, Stuffed and Satisfied

How was your Christmas? I was pretty stressed leading up to the big day, but it was nothing to worry about after all. I was working Christmas eve, and after a busy morning it quietened down in the afternoon and there was a relaxed and happy atmosphere. I went to my Mum's straight after and we organised the presents into pillow cases and had lots of drinks and nibbles. On Christmas morning we opened presents together with my Grandad, then had a huge turkey dinner (I had my own veggie version).

Stacking the Shelves (3) Christmas Haul 2012

Today I'm taking part in a meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks! If you'd like to take part please visit the launch page and sign up with the linky on Tynga's latest post.

Season's Greetings

I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already, where has the time gone? I'll be too busy stuffing myself with Quorn turkey substitute, mince pies and Baileys to get on here over the next few days, so I'd like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Yuletide, Winter Solstice, Kwanzaa (or any other festival you celebrate).

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 12

To celebrate Christmas this year I have decided to do a post on each of the twelve days of Christmas (25th Dec-5th Jan) to celebrate all of the gifts (both physical and metaphorical) that I have recieved this year and take stock of what I have achieved during 2011.

On the twelfth day of Christmas 2011 gave to me... two lottery wins!

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 11

To celebrate Christmas this year I have decided to do a post on each of the twelve days of Christmas (25th Dec-5th Jan) to celebrate all of the gifts (both physical and metaphorical) that I have recieved this year and take stock of what I have achieved during 2011.

On the eleventh day of Christmas 2011 gave to me... a Toyota Celica.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 10

To celebrate Christmas this year I have decided to do a post on each of the twelve days of Christmas (25th Dec-5th Jan) to celebrate all of the gifts (both physical and metaphorical) that I have recieved this year and take stock of what I have achieved during 2011.

On the tenth day of Christmas 2011 gave to me...a happier partner.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 9

To celebrate Christmas this year I have decided to do a post on each of the twelve days of Christmas (25th Dec-5th Jan) to celebrate all of the gifts (both physical and metaphorical) that I have recieved this year and take stock of what I have achieved during 2011.

On the ninth day of Christmas 2011 gave to me...body confidence.

Twelve Days of Christmas: Day 8

To celebrate Christmas this year I have decided to do a post on each of the twelve days of Christmas (25th Dec-5th Jan) to celebrate all of the gifts (both physical and metaphorical) that I have recieved this year and take stock of what I have achieved during 2011.

On the eighth day of Christmas 2011 gave to me...a much improved house.

Xmas Book Booty 2011

This year's xmas haul was quite impressive- I got several of the books on my wishlist as well as book vouchers and money which will inevitably be spent on more books. I now need a new bookcase, and am hoping that Matt will relent and let me have a small one on the landing. I can't wait to read them all!