Christmas Gems

 I have always loved Christmas - I can remember the excitement and anticipation when I was a small child.  From the first Sunday in Advent when the first candle was lit until Christmas morning when we finally got to open the presents under the tree.

But Christmas is not just about presents, even if you are not of a religeous persuasion.  It is about the thrill of the festive season, the decorating of the house, the choosing and decorating the Christmas Tree, the special Christmas foods and sweets, the Christmas Parties and the hospitality we offer to our friends and relations.  The trip to the shops that is normally a real chore becomes a pleasure as we choose that special present for our loved ones and when we have had enough being pushed around and trodden on by the crowds we can escape for some seasonal food, a hot chocolate or a glass of wine in festively decorated restaurants and pubs.

These days, of course, we can avoid the crowds altogether and do the bulk of our Christmas shopping on the Internet, in the comfort of our own homes - even festive foods, from free range turkey, to smoked salmon, to handmade chocolates can be bought on the Internet.  Life really could not be easier and there is no excuse to not get into a festive mood.

The essence of having a lovely Christmas lies in the planning - and you can never start too early, especially as many of us have full time jobs to attend to, as well as running homes and families.  I have always found it useful to draw up a 'to do' list, starting on 1 December and taking us right up to Christmas Day.  It is also a good idea to draw up a menu list, so you know exactly what you will be eating on each day.  This simplifies the shopping and you can save time and money by cooking double portions and freezing the remainder.  

This website is designed to assist with the planning for a lovely Christmas, as well as tips and ideas for presents and seasonal food and entertainments for young and old for the festive season.