Yay... it's December! I'm allowed to make Christmas references! November (a horrible month if ever there was one) is a thing of the past! Things I love about December: Christmas lights, Christmas markets, an excuse to eat whatever sort of fattening pastry (or anything else) presents itself, getting to go home and see my family, excuses to dress up. What I hate about December: Christmas shopping. Is this because my last name is Scrooge? I'd like to think not, but seriously, is Christmas shopping not the most stressful thing ever? Especially when you don't make much money. I want to buy wonderful things for my family, but everything is so expensive, I feel I've exhausted all home-made possibilities in years past, and I realized, while on an experimental Christmas shop a few days ago, that what I really want to bring back for the holidays is the atmosphere of Barcelona at Christmas time... the bustle, the turrón, the stalls in the streets selling hot roasted chestnuts, the little shops all done up for the holidays. My Catalan language practice partner made fun of me for being all touchy-feely when I said so, but it's true. So what am I supposed to say, "Merry Christmas, family: read my blog!?"
Back to the shops then... ho ho ho
31 comments:
I totally wub christmas and everything around it as well. There was this stupid commercial on the tv just now and it featured christmas carols and a tree and presents and I was like YEAY <3
haha. I might just tell people to read my blog for Christmas.
I'm with you on the gift buying though. I'm just a broke college student, but I feel like my family deserves way more than the handmade little knick knacks I give them (which they usually only pretend to like). My brothers just look at the gifts once and then lose them within the next hour, most of the time.
But I have found, this year, that buying small handmade things from other people makes it more interesting. Hopefully they will like those better!
Oh and, yes. December is such a great month. Seeing all of the Christmas lights makes my heart sing! :)
beautiful pics! the lighting is great.
Ha, I have been excited about Christmas since maybe the end of October? But now I am really feeling the spirit at its best. I got all my Christmas presents wrapped up, only my boyfriend's is to go but I already know what will be and need to get it from Spitalfields! And I agree that having spare money really helps with these things. Not that I splurged on gifts or anything like it, but it felt nice getting good presents (as opposed to last year's unemployed me) but I am sure your family would still love you even if you would take just turron. (I would!)
And, man, I miss roasted chestnuts, can't wait to have some when I go to Portugal on Christmas too!
@Raquel: Seriously! I feel like an extra 15 Euros per person budget would made such a difference. Bah humbug!
i have a love/hate relationship with christmas shopping--basically, i love it if i'm inspired/happen to find the perfect gift for my friends and family (my boyfriend is the WORST PERSON EVER to shop for--everything he wants is about 3X what i would ever even dream of spending on anyone [including myself]). otherwise i hate it. and you can prob guess how often i strike gift inspiration gold.
everything else about christmas is <3 and i've never tried chesnuts roasted on an open fire! definitely need to add that to my list.
You look so lovely and those chestnuts looks so warm and fuzzy! Reminds me of my time in Adelaide Australia.
I can't believe I didn't know about your blog its marvelous!
Following.!!!
bxx
I have never had chestnuts before! I love this festive post, hope there are more to come! Your orange tights are perfect in these photos, they evoke so much warmth! I know what you mean about the Christmas shopping bit, I've been trying to save like crazy for England and I don't really want to part with my hard earned money for presents! Bah humbug!
I hate November too, I get the blues every year. I love December, there is something in the air. That chocolate looks so good :)
Ive never had a chestnut before...haha... *sings the song*
I know what you mean! I would love to get my family expensive things but 1. they wouldn't want to accept them and 2. I can't really afford to...but I think I'm going to spend more than usual on my mommy this year if I can find anything [already have my dad's...a cool thing for his car XD]. That's another problem, I can never find anything good enough ! GRRR! :p
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
you just made me so excited for christmas!! i love that the holiday spirit is in the air (and on your blog)! i wouldn't fret too much about xmas shopping. yes it sucks, but even the smallest gesture will be one your family will love :) this season should be all about family not material things right?! good luck girlfriend, and as always, love this post xo
http://dressedupallligators.blogspot.com/
I'm sure your family will appreciate the fact that you are with them for the Christmas holiday more than any gift.
But, little thrifter.......there has to be great vintage pieces to pick up in Barcelona. Scarves, books.....blah, blah, blah! You get the drift.
Have fun whatever you decide.
Don't forget the magic of Christmas that comes from those toy logs:) I have a super strict budget when it comes to Christmas shopping too so I usually make something (usually cookies) and send a framed photograph from my travels.
Christmas shopping is stressful. I have like 20 people to buy presents for and I don't make much so I have to stretch the bucks. I guess the pumpkin pie makes up for it.
-Arielle
www.humblepievintage.com
Christmas shopping totally freaks me out! It is very stressful!
And those chestnuts look so yum!
Sweet December post!
I'd love to be there! Looks, yummy.
@The Daily Fashionista: They're definitely getting a log, whatever else!
@Arielle: Wow, my sympathies... I used to have to buy for all my best friend's family too, but now I'm just down to my own... about six people. That's bad enough! Twenty would be madness!
Do you know that sentence wich says... Barcelona és bona si la bossa sona?
Prehaps is a topic but I think the best gift for your familli is yourself. Isn't it?
Have a nice days. :)
Are you heading back to Canada for Christmas?
I feel ya on the xmas present front...it gets so tiring to look for presents you haven't gotten before.
In the Ikea store where I work on weekends they put on all the Christmas decorations on the 15th of October -_- that's crazy! I like this period of the year, but come on!
By the way roasted chestnuts are great when it's cold outside!
@Ashley: Yep! Sooooo excited!
@Jul: It simply won't get cold here, so I'm eating chestnuts anyway. Yeah, the 15th of October is madness... I only like Christmas in December... anything earlier and I start to get really cynical and annoyed about the consumerism...
I find Christmas shopping incredibly stressful, mainly knowing what to buy people. My future mother in law is the hardest because she is the woman with everything! I hope you are well and have a fabulous Christmas month.
Yes, November was horrible for me as well! I hate Christmas shopping too! It is super stressful especially when you try to think of what to get something for someone who has everything!
Wida
Missing Amsie Blog
Your post just got me really excited for christmas all of a sudden.
lovely post! I am such a fan of christmas markets and go at least once or twice a week and try to enjoy it as much as possible until christmas :D
adorable bicycle pin
Good luck searching for gifts for your fam. It's a tough task...and the closer we get to the holidays the more pressure.
I love your beehive in the previous post. The first photo is my favorite pose of yours...very editorial-esque
wow love your blog!! its super cute :) now following!
natalie
http://lucyandtherunaways.blogspot.com
Merry X'mas!!! :)
Roaming-About in Style
You're killing me with those roasted chestnuts. Yesterday a nearby city held their annual Victorian Stroll complete with costumed entertainers, shops all blitzed out in Christmas decor and general holiday merriment. The only thing I was really looking forward to was getting a bag of roasted chestnuts. I saw a lot on the ground and even stepped in some mess that had been in someone's mouth, but could I find the vendor(s) selling them? Nope. It was such a let down.
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