Sundaze 267: Festive prep, presents and a Christmassy movie marathon

Even though I spent most of the week sick as a dog (I, of course, caught the cold that my boyfriend had last weekend), it’s been a fairly nice little week on reflection. I always lament how quickly December seems to go: the weeks seem to race by even more now that most of us work on a hybrid pattern, don’t you think? Not 100% sure of the science behind this, but I’ve convinced myself of it. But it’s even more true that adulting your way through December is mostly a mix of coercing your washing to dry, wrapping presents CONSTANTLY, and then remembering forgotten gifts at the eleventh hour.

This week of rest has been so needed. I think my ‘one last trip of the year’ really let my body relax and then everything hit me at once. The almighty December cold-that-isn’t-COVID (I’ve been testing!), a psoriasis flare-up, off-schedule period cramps… What more can I take on?!

Prepping for Christmas

I’m sort of dreaming of the days where I can host Christmas, but prepping for my parts towards the family Christmas is still good. A few weeks ago, I preordered my Christmas dinner main from a local business, and then I’ve been spending some of my bedridden days organising other bits. First, ordering my Dishoom vegan sausage naan kit that has become a Christmas breakfast tradition for me now, then picking up a vegan cheeseboard at La Fauxmagerie. I’m so excited to eat over Christmas!

I’ve finished my gift-buying and wrapping!

After seemingly forgetting 101 gifts, I think I’ve finally finished my gift-buying and wrapping! Eddie and I visited Waterstones over the weekend to pick up some bookish gifts for the little ones and I did have to wait until payday this Friday to snag the last few, but it feels good to be done and dusted with it. I enjoy treating loved ones to presents, but it often feels a bit wasteful and consumerist, and it’s extremely stressful having to compete with thousands of other shoppers, doesn’t it?

Christmas movie marathon

I’m sure that, by now, you’ve figured out that I’m not much of a film person. Since I’ve been in bed pretty much all week, I’ve really made best use of my Netflix and Disney+ subscriptions. From the terrible B&B Merry to the classic Home Alone, I’ve had myself a huge Christmas movie marathon to keep the festive spirits up. Here’s hoping I’ll be fighting fit again in no time at all.

Links I’ve Loved

These mini date ideas for the festive period are so sweet!
Taylor Swift was named TIME’s Person of the Year, and these life lessons she shares are just so valid.
Eyeing up another pair of these to round off my winter office staples.
I really want to make Nadiya Hussain’s Crispy Leek Biryani. Doesn’t it sound delicious?
Working on your university or further education applications? Try these personal statement tutors for some extra help.