'Happiness can be found in the darkest of places if one remembers to turn on the light'
Author: Roseanne's Blog
I'm Roseanne :) 33. Married to Tim π I'm a Harry Potter fanatic β‘ and a Bookworm π I started this blog to document our wedding planning and its grown from there!
Here’s a little sneak peek at how I’ve decorated my reading corner… I love fairy lights (any excuse!) And they look super cute with a few little other festive touches.
Super cosy!
Adding a few festive touches has made my reading corner even more cosy!
Annd I’ve even managed to not poke myself in the eye with one of the light up branches, whilst reading, so win win!
It’s so important to help others whenever you can, how ever you can but, there is something about Christmas time that makes it even more paramount.
As we start to plan our festivities and enjoy the odd mince pie and choc orange here and there, it’s a good time to think about those who are worse off than we are, (because there is always someone!)
It doesn’t have to cost alot, you could even give your time, to a cause in your local area.
I had a look to see what I could to do in my local area, a few weeks ago, and came across a shoebox appeal for the homeless.
You fill a box with essentials and these are handed out (safely) to those who are most in need, those who are vulnerable.
The boxes are being dropped off contactlessly and quarantined before being handed out, so it’s all safe for everyone involved.
After such a crazy year it’s nice to feel like you can help in any way possible, a little gift like this would mean the world to someone who has very little, at what should be such a special, magical time of year.
I decided to do two boxes, they are almost identical but one has a couple of female related toiletry products in it.
Here’s a little peek into the boxes:
Thing’s I included in the boxes:
Toiletries, Inc: Sanitary products, Shower gel, toothpaste and a toothbrush and X2 roll on deodorants.
Other cleansing items: A pack of biodegradable wet wipes, as well as some Hand sanitizer.
I also included a little pot of vaseline and a hand & nail cream as these are great when its particularly cold outside.
I added some treats, a chocolate orange, because its Christmas after all! As well as some large bars of chocolate.
I also included some dry snacks such as Cheddars and Ritz Crackers.
And again, because of the time of year, I chose to include a pack of cosy socks and some gloves too.
I will be dropping these off in the next few days so fingers crossed they will make someones Christmas a little better and make them smile.
We are just over a week into Blogmas already! Madness.
One of my favourite parts of the festive season is watching Christmas films… so, I thought that I would share my top ten with you.
I love a christmas film β€
Number One: Deck the Halls
I only discovered this one about 2-3 years ago but it is BRILLIANT. Funny, festive, traditional and a little tacky (the perfect Christmas)
Number Two: The Snowman
An absolute classic. Christmas isn’t Christmas without the snowman. Period.
Number Three: Elf
‘SANTA!! I KNOW HIM’
Number Four: The Grinch who stole Christmas
An ICONIC character (& portrayal) this is one of those classic and brilliantly quotable films. **Disclaimer: this is a prime example of giving a film a chance, I used to hate it because I never gave it a chance and now I love it.
Number Five: Love Actually
How could you Alan!?! π’ Still not over it.
Number Six: Arthur Christmas
An animated classic. Arthur is so loveable and it’s so lovely how he seeks to prove himself and save Christmas!
Number Seven: Jack Frost
A sad one but also a film to make you embrace Christmas and take nothing for granted.
Number Eight: Santa Claus
Another classic from my childhood. This was always on TV and it always makes me feel Christmassy when it’s on.
Number Nine: Last Christmas
It being based around my fave Christmas song was always going to make this a winner but, it was also very sweet & very feel good.
Number Ten: Nativity
It’s BRILLIANT. I think it’s even funnier because I work in a primary school π€£
What’s your favourite Christmas film? One that you have to watch every year!!
Since this weeks Children’s book is a Christmassy one I thought I would unashamedly shoehorn it into a Blogmas post for today!
The Christmas Elf and the magic of kindness
By Marcy Kelman and Hannah Mark’s
This book is SO cute. The illustrations are lovely and bright and the message that it gets across is so sweet.
The book is all about being kind and finding and embracing what you are good at… not worrying if you can’t always do what someone else can do, because we all have our own individual talents.
The perfect, Christmassy story with a beautiful message to those who read/listen to it.
I LOVE a festive read. I fully read festive books throughout December and this year is no exception… infact I’m trying to read even more than usual this year to really get me into thr festive spirit.
Thought I would share with you some of my favourites, as well as ones that are on my tbr (to be read) list
π Some β’ of β’ my β’ favourites π
Mince Pies and Mistletoe at the Christmas Market by Heidi Swain.
Coming Home to Glendale Hall by Victoria Walter’s
A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan
The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux
Sleigh rides and Silver bells at the Christmas Fair by Heidi Swain
Dream a little Christmas dream by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)
Snowflakes and Cinnamon Swirls at the Winter Wonderland
Christmas with Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher (Novella)
β On β’ my β’ TBR β’ list π
A Christmas Wish by Lizzie Lang
The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan
Dash & Lily Series by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
One more Christmas by Sarah Morgan
The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher
The Winter Garden by Heidi Swain
The Christmas Killer by Alex Pine
π π» Current β’ Festive β’ Read π
Hopefully Hearts at Glendale Hall by Victoria Walters
One of the best parts of Christmas is putting up your tree, so here’s ours!
I love putting up the tree, christmas jumpers on, christmas tunes blaring out… perfect!
From Disneyland Paris ’19So pretty β€πFrom Universal Studios, Florida ’18Our 2020 decoration from Mum Bought at Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park ’19Our tree topper β
I love the traditional red, gold and green of our decorations.
These came out so well, are super chocolatey (I always add extra chocolate π€¦πΌββοΈ) & look how cute they are!!
I’m not as great at the finer detail when it comes to decorating things like this but, even I could do this haha! and I love how they turned out.
These would be great for a Christmas buffet table (and yes I am still having one even though there won’t be many of us, because come on 2020 or not… it’s Christmas & who doesnt love a buffet!!)
I thought that for Day Two I would do a little book review. I an going to do a fee of these, as part of Blogmas, throught December as I am trying to read plenty of festive books.
Let’s take a look!
This lovely, cosy festive read takes us on the trip back to Beth’s hometown of Glendale, and more specifically Glendale Hall, the family home.
She fled at the age of 16 due to her pregnancy being rejected by her family.
She is now back or Christmas, 10 years after she fled, to see her ill grandmother.
What I particularly enjoyed about this book is how endearing the characters are, their characterisation is really nicely developed and you instantly like them, feel for them and are rooting for them. They are very real characters with a fluffy romantic edge.
And because you have this ease with the characters, you find yourself quickly immersed into the book and turning the pages feverishly, digesting more and more of the Glendale cosyness.
The story is very enjoyable and is written with a lovely festive feel that makes you ready for the christmas season, itching to put up your own decorations, see lights around the town and make a hot chocolate or six.
I couldn’t put it down.
So, apparently this is the part of the review that I’m supposed to write something I didnt like as much about the book… (Boo!)
… I knew what was probably going to happen in the end…???
My question is…Does it matter if you predict or don’t predict the ending when the journey to it is so enjoyable though?!
I’m really clutching at straws here because I bloody loved the book and am now on book 3!
So, if you want to get into the Christmas spirit, feel cosy, festive and ready to enjoy all things Christmassy then grab a hot chocolate and cosy down with this absolutely gorgeous seasonal delight.
Roseanne Byford 