Sunday, 23 December 2018

Blogmas Day 22: My Christmas Memories

Hey Guys!

Welcome To Blogmas Day Twenty Two

Everyone will have so many memories from Christmas, it is a magical time of year and so many moments are remembered for years to come, so I thought I'd share some of my favourite Christmas memories with you all ❣


My Top Christmas Memories


Fake Snow and Reindeer Food


I have a lot of memories from Christmas as a child, especially as Christmas is the most magical time of year when you are younger. You believe in Father Christmas, you get to play with toys day after day, you get new toys and watch your favourite Christmas films, so there is no surprise that one of my favourite memories is of Christmas as a child. From the age of four to ten, my parents would go to extreme lengths to ensure Christmas was as magical as possible! On Christmas Eve my dad and I would put our carrots and reindeer feed on our front garden so that when Santa parked his sleigh his reindeers would have something to snack on. We would then put a sign outside our house saying "Santa, stop here!" so that Father Christmas would know to stop at our house and deliver presents. After making sure there was enough food for all the reindeers, we would then leave a small glass of sherry and a mince pie next to the fireplace. As I have a personalised stocking that my parents also bought for me, I would then hang it up on the end of my bunk bed so Santa could fill it with little stocking fillers and I would have an early night. When I woke up the next day I would wake my parents up, come down to the living room and there would be snow covering our living room floor! In the snow, there would be boot prints going from the fireplace to the Christmas tree where loads of presents would be labelled with our names. Even at the age of twenty I always remember those Christmas' when there would be tons of fake snow, the sherry glass was empty and the reindeers had enjoyed the carrots. Obviously now I know that this was all my parent's amazing effort to make Christmas the most magical time of year and it worked because I still think back to those memories now ❤

(Unfortunately, I don't have any photos from this time on my phone!)

Grandma and Grandad's on Boxing Day


Before my grandparents passed away, every year on Boxing Day all of my family and extended family would travel to my grandparent's house to continue with the festive celebrations. We would all turn up around lunchtime and not leave until very late evening or sometimes not till the next day. My grandma would do an amazing buffet with various desserts, breadsticks, dips and various different crisps and sandwiches (leftover Christmas dinner - the best sandwiches!) so we'd have plenty of party food to choose from. Boxing Day at my grandparents would be a time for everyone to have a catch up, all of us younger children would get to play with our new toys and the adults would get to swap their secret Santa gifts (every Christmas the adults would all do a big family secret Santa with the aim to buy the silliest presents and would then swap them all on Boxing Day). The best secret Santa gift I remember was a bright orange Space Hopper - it gave us kids hours of fun! Later on, my grandma would bring out huge Christmas sacks and would put them in front of all of us grandchildren which would be full of presents from herself, my grandad and would also include the presents bought by aunties and uncles and more extended family. There are three gifts that were my ultimate favourite; the first was a pair of Disney pyjamas my Auntie Jane had bought which were personalised with my name, bright pink and the cosiest pyjamas I had ever had - so, of course, I got changed into them straight away and spent the rest of the day in my new princess pyjamas! My second favourite present from the Christmas sack was the Polly Pocket Cruise Ship bought by my grandma and grandad. It came with desk chairs, beach towels, cocktail glasses, and colourful suitcases - I had years of fun with that cruise ship! And my third favourite Christmas present was this beautiful Victorian Dolls House, also bought by my grandparents and physically built by my grandad. It is the most beautiful dolls house and came with all the furniture, dolls and little accessories like plates of food and flowers for the tables! Boxing Day at my grandparents was the best ❤


Lanzarote 



We have been to Lanzarote for Christmas for three years. This year is the first year we have decided to celebrate Christmas back in England. While going away to Puerto del Carmen we have made many memories which I will always remember - especially the second year we went! When we went to Lanzarote it would be my mum, dad, Uncle Pete, Auntie Sue, James, Will and I, so in total seven of us all in a villa for a week. Since we've been going for three years I've a lot of memories from each of the villas we have stayed at and funny family moments but the holiday I always remember was the second holiday! Just before we had flown out I had caught a really bad cold, to be honest, it was more like flu and ended up taking it out with me and getting worse as the holiday went on - which wasn't the best start! But the holiday was so rememberable for me because we had Christmas decorations everywhere, with a blow-up snowman, a mini Christmas tree, garlands going down the stairs and in the lights and reindeer antlers ❄ We also had all of our Christmas t-shirts that are all personalised with our nicknames and wore them for most of the holiday and has the best Christmas dinner (cooked by my dad). But the most memorable part of the holiday was getting cosy on the sofas with a blanket (my cousin James and I both were freezing because of our bad colds) and watching movies with all my family and drinking the prosecco. It was such a great holiday where we had cocktails on Christmas Eve, watched all the different Santas' on their motorbikes bike through the town to Christmas music and I remember my mum constantly trying to find different types of medicine to cure my cold/flu(bless her!). It may have been annoying being ill but I actually had the most fun and made some of the best memories. The other two occasions in Lanzarote were so fun too that I couldn't help but share some photos ❤


What Christmas memories do you have? Let me know in the comments below!

See you tomorrow for Day Twenty-Three and Four of Blogmas ❤

Amy x 


Blogmas Day 21: My Christmas Eve Plans / Featuring Blogging Friends

Hey Guys!

Welcome to Blogmas Day Twenty One 

It's only two days till Christmas!! I can't believe how quickly Blogmas has gone by! It seems like only yesterday it was the 1st December and the beginning of Blogmas ❄  



Seeing as Christmas Eve is just around the corner I thought I would share my plans for Christmas Eve and what my blogging friends' plans for Christmas Eve! Everyone has their own traditions, so it's always fun to see what everyone will be up to the day/night before Christmas Day! 

My Christmas Eve Plans


I'll be getting up early in the morning as my dad and I plan to make gingerbread men and maybe a gingerbread house so we can devour them later on while we watch Christmas movies. Then we'll see some of my family at lunch time for a drink wearing our personalised Christmas t-shirts and jumpers. In the evening, we plan to go to one of our local pubs to see their Christmas decorations (they are so pretty), have some mulled wine and spend time with my cousins. Later on we'll have a simple dinner, put on some Christmas movies, have some hot chocolate with gingerbread men and then head to bed early to wake up early for Christmas day ❤


Blogging Friends' Christmas Eve Plans


Emma from Lifeofemmax

"I'll be waking up and prepping vegetables - going to visit a couple of friends with presents, then back home for Christmas baking. In the evening I head to a local pub with friends I went to school with and have a big catch up"

Follow her Twitter here.

Meg from amegalife

"99.9% of the time I travel too see family and spend the majority of the day at my grandparents with all of my cousins over playing games & dieing from laughter! Then we collect presents from my grandparents and head home to chill and watch Christmas films 🎄"

Follow her Twitter here.

Hannah from Just Hannah Here

"I drive to see the famous Christmas lights road and then snuggle up on the sofa with a Christmas movie and hot chocolate"

Follow her Twitter here.


"I’m going to have dinner with my boyfriend, watch a couple of Christmas movies with some hot chocolate and get ready for Christmas Day!"

Follow her Twitter here.

Chanel from coc0chanel

"Me and my mum spend the whole day baking every Christmas Eve ready for the next day, everyone has their own sweet treats that they like so we bake them for everyone! And then our family friends come over as the husband hates wrapping so we wrap for him hahahah! Then in the evening I’ll see my boyfriend! 🎅🏼"

Follow her Twitter here.

Beth from The Makeup By Beth

"My plans are to work for a couple of hours and add the finishing touches to everything. I'll be going through everything with a checklist today so a checklist of presents I've got and wrapped, food that's been prepped, room tidied and fully decorated and everything is in order for the day. Once everything is prepared, it'll be time to wind down, eat some food and chill out watching Christmas specials! x"

Follow her Twitter here.

Lauren

"So Christmas Eve I am baking Christmas cookies, watching Christmas movies (probably it's a wonderful life and Santa Clause 2 and 3). Then in the evening me and my fiancée have done each other a Christmas Eve presents box to open"

Follow her Twitter here. Lauren also has a blog coming in 2019 so make sure to keep an eye out on her Twitter!



What are your plans for Christmas Eve this year? Let me know in the comments below!

See you later for Day Twenty Two and tomorrow for Day Twenty Three and Four of Blogmas ❤

Amy x 

Thursday, 20 December 2018

Blogmas Day 20: Tips for Sale Shopping with Hannah

Hey Guys!

Welcome to Blogmas Day Twenty

Sorry for being two days behind schedule I've had a few Christmas parties so I haven't had the time to catch up. But I'll be back on schedule tomorrow  ❣

When it comes to shopping in the Christmas sales it can become very stressful trying to find what's on your wishlist, finding the best prices and wading through crowds of people doing their Christmas/ Boxing Day shopping. So, Hannah and I have got some tips and tricks on how to survive the Christmas/Boxing Day sales! This post is a collaboration with Hannah (from Hannah's Bookshelf) so make sure to go over to her blog to check out her sales tips and all her Blogmas posts. Head over to her blog here.


Tips and Tricks 


Give yourself plenty of time:

The worst thing about shopping when you are on a tight schedule is you don't get enough time to look around properly and end up making rash decisions to buy everything on your list. The best thing is to go early and give yourself plenty of time, maybe having a break for lunch and a drink in between. Then you can take your time in each shop and you can enjoy it instead of stressing yourself out by running around everywhere trying to get everything. Make a plan of what time you want to start and what time you want to head home for so you know you are giving yourself enough time. Like Hannah said start early to beat the rush!

Write a list of what you are looking for:

The worst mistake I have made is not writing a wish list/shopping list before going shopping. So I end up not staying focused and looking at things I really don't need to buy, which leads to probably wasting my money buying things I really don't need. Therefore, make a list of everything you need to buy for people or yourself and put the most important at the top. 

Look at the price, not the saving:

When you look at how much money you are saving on an item don't let that be the reason you chose to buy it, look how much the product is priced at originally and see whether the reduced price is worth it or whether it would be best looking elsewhere. Sometimes when you see 25% or 30% off it looks like a great sale but when you actually look at the original price it isn't actually a good deal at all and is worth looking elsewhere!

Check which retailers are selling the same product so you know where to shop around:

After doing your wish list/shopping list it's best to check which retailers are doing the items you are looking for prior to your shopping trip so you know which shops are going to be the best for grabbing a deal. But also if you can't find a good deal in the physical shop then you know there may be a better sale online and you can get it delivered instead! Sometimes it is worth looking at both online and in-store to see where you'll save the most money. 

Be sensible with how much you are buying:

When it comes to shopping in the sales it is easy to get carried away and buying anything on sale without properly assessing whether you actually need it. So set yourself a limit with how much you want to spend and don't go over your budget. Also, don't buy so much that you can't carry everything. It is easy to keep buying and buying but realistically how much can you really carry home and not break your fingers. You can always go back a few days later!

Make sure to take your loyalty cards and student cards:

When shopping in the sales don't forget to take all of your loyalty cards and your student card (if you are in university) in your purse so least you'll get all the benefits, points AND half priced items! I got a black dress for £13 after 50% off and then got an additional 10% off as I had my students card with me. By having your loyalty card on hand you can occasionally get double points and discounts using your student discount!


Have you made the most of the Christmas sales? If not save these tips and tricks for the Boxing Day sales! Let Hannah and I know how you got on!

See you later for Blogmas Day Twenty One where I'll be detailing my Christmas Eve plans for this year ❤

Amy x 

Wednesday, 19 December 2018

Blogmas Day 19: Earrings I've Treated Myself To This Christmas

Hey Guys!

Welcome to Blogmas Day Nineteen

At Christmas it's all about giving and treating others with gifts, but there is nothing wrong with wanting to treat yourself! We always worry about what to buy others and we want to buy the best gifts we can - Christmas is a very stressful time of year! So, there is nothing wrong with treating yourself to some gifts as well ❤ 

This year I decided to treat myself to some Christmassy earrings! H&M has some great sales on at the moment so you can buy yourself a gift without feeling guilty. Which is exactly what I did!

H&M Four Set



At the time I was actually buying gifts for my blogger secret Santa but while I was looking around the shop I started looking at the earrings and couldn't resist! I picked up a set of four earrings which include red bows, candy canes, reindeers and Christmas trees! I can wear a different pair every day for the countdown to Christmas. Originally for £3.99, I got them for £2 in the H&M sale 

H&M Tasselled Earrings in Red



I then went back to H&M later on in the week and picked up a pair of large tasselled earrings in red. I actually brought them for my Christmas ball (as I went with a black and red theme) but they are still a treat as I'll be able to wear them over Christmas. They were originally £8.99 and I got them for £3!! 

If you are looking for Christmas earrings to wear, H&M has a great selection! Other than these sets of earrings they have dangly earrings with Christmas presents on the end, tinsel hoops and Christmas stars ❣

What have you treated yourself to this Christmas? Let me know in the comments below!

See you tomorrow for Day Twenty of Blogmas

Amy x

Tuesday, 18 December 2018

Blogmas Day 18: Must Have Winter Essentials

Hey Guys!

⭐ Welcome To Day Eighteen of Blogmas

It's cold, it's the cosiest time of year and Christmas Day is fast approaching, so there are many essentials we need to stay warm, get into the festive spirit and make the most of the winter season ❄

From family favourite Christmas movies, comforting hot drinks, winter scents and clothing - here are my Winter Essentials 2018!


Hot Chocolate With All The Trimmings


Nothing beats a hot chocolate on a cold Winter day, especially with marshmallows and gingerbread biscuits to dunk. So grab your favourite Christmas mug, make your choice of hot chocolate, add marshmallows and get dunking ❤

A Fun Christmas Jumper


Winter is the only acceptable time to wear a Christmas jumper every day and not be judged. Wear that Christmas jumper with pride and make the most of getting to wear your cosy festive sweater this Christmas! 

Classic Christmas Movies


There are so many Christmas movies out there to choose from but you have to watch the classics. From Elf, A Christmas Carol, The Grinch, Miracle on 34th Street, Love Actually to Home Alone. Add them all to the list. 

Woolly Socks

Getting cold feet in Winter is a given, so cosy woolly socks are a must, even better if they are Christmas themed like these!

Soap & Glory Hand Food



When it comes to the cold weather other than cold hands my skin gets incredibly dry and irritated, so to help with my cracked hands I use the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Hand Food. When it comes to hand cream I always use Soap & Glory as it's the only moisturiser that works on my dry hands.

Kleenex Lip Balm



Like my hands, my lips crack in the Winter because of the cold wind. So a very important winter essential is my Kleenex lip balm. It seems to be the only lip balm other than Vaseline that actually does the trick and helps my lips go back to normal!

Christmas Hits: 60 Festive Favourites Album


Nothing is better than a CD with all the best Christmas songs on! Of course, Michael Buble's album is amazing but nothing beats the Christmas Hits album with Last Christmas, Do They Know It's Christmas?, Wonderful Christmastime and All I Want For Christmas Is You which are all Winter Essentials!

Christmas Books


When you are sat inside all cosy in front of the fire with your hot chocolate and dog at your feet there is nothing better than a Christmas book to dig into! Some great books to read are A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Twas The Night Before Christmas, The Snowman, A Nightingale Christmas Wish by  Donna Douglas or The Christmas Party by Carole Matthews ❄

What are your Winter Essentials? Let me know in the comments below!

See you tomorrow for Day Nineteen of Blogmas and more festive cheer ❤

Amy x

Monday, 17 December 2018

Blogmas Day 17: Christmas Characters Tag

Hey Guys!

Welcome To Day Seventeen of Blogmas

If you hadn't guessed already I love tags! Whether it’s Winter Tags, Christmas Tags or anything fun and festive themed I want to do it! Which is why I'm so excited to be doing the Christmas Characters Tag for Blogmas. I was tagged by the wonderful Hannah from Hannah's Bookshelf who is doing some great Blogmas posts, so go and check out her blog here. Hannah is lovely, she is the blogger to go to if you are looking for a great book review or some fun festive tags ❄

The Christmas Tree at my student house in Newcastle 🎄

Rules


Answer all prompts.
Answer honestly.
Tag 1-12 people.
Link back to this post.
Remember to credit the creator. (Anthony @ Keep Reading Forward)
Have fun!
Santa Claus
A Gift You Received or Want This Year
I haven't opened any Christmas presents as it's only the seventeenth but while I was back in Newcastle my friends and I did secret Santa before we left. Jennifer ended up with me and she gave me the perfect gift. She got me eye masks which I love and a Disney 2019 Calendar where the scenes from each Disney movie come to life with quotes and trivia from the films! She knows me so well and how much I love Disney - it is honestly the cutest thing I've ever received ❤
Mrs. Claus
A Favorite Holiday Treat to Have Every Year
A box of Celebrations! I think most people have Celebrations at Christmas - they are the chocolate of choice for movie marathons. I love it when the box of Celebrations get brought out! I used to be sneaky when I was younger and start eating them before I was allowed thinking my parents hadn't noticed, even though I'd taken the plastic seal off haha!
Ghost of Christmas Past
A Holiday Memory from Your Past
I feel like everyone has so many Christmas memories from their childhood as Christmas was the most magical time - especially for my family! I've talked about so many Christmas memories already with the Christmas tags done previously, but one I haven't mentioned is the time I completely lost my voice on Boxing Day. We had gone to meet all of my extended family at our local pub to exchange presents (this was the first year we didn't go to my grandparent's house) and as soon as we got there I lost my voice and could barely speak. My entire family was there for us all to have fun and spend time together and I couldn't speak one word! What a great way to spend Christmas time with my family ay! In the end, my cousins and I just ended up playing with this toy crane the adults had received for secret Santa and tried to win as much as I could haha! 
Buddy the Elf
“The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.”
A Holiday Song You like to Sing Each Holiday Season

A Christmas song that I'm constantly singing is Santa Tell Me by Ariana Grande. It isn't the top song on my festive playlist, but it is the one I always sing along to whenever it comes on ❤
Misfit Toys
An Unpopular Toy You Really Wanted to Get One Year

I can't even remember the time I wanted an unpopular toy for Christmas as it was so long ago, but I do remember going through the Argos catalogue circling all the gifts I wanted and one year I decided I wanted a keyboard even though I had no idea how to play. Luckily my parents didn't get it for me because it would have definitely been a fade like when I tried to learn the guitar and even got bought one, which never got used!
Grinch
A Moment When Your Heart Grew Three Sizes

I have a huge love for Christmas! My heart grew so much when I got older and started to realise how much effort my family would put into making Christmas the most magical time of year! When I think back at the fake snow in our living room, all the reindeer carrots and feed we'd put outside, my personalised Christmas stocking and the huge sacks we would receive from my grandma on Boxing Day, it makes me so so grateful for the incredible family I have and how special they are! It makes my heart feel so warm and whole ❤
Jack Frost
A Tradition You Like to Do Every Winter
Every Winter we get out the Phil Spector A Christmas Gift For You out from the CD rack and put it in the car to sing along to Frosty the Snowman and we then play it on Christmas day while we are drinking bucks fizz and opening presents ❄
Hero Boy
A Moment You Believed in a Holiday Wish/Miracle
When I was younger before going to bed my dad and I would put out carrots on our front lawn for the reindeers, a sign saying "Please Stop Here Santa" and would then leave a mince pie and sherry next to the Christmas tree. The next day I would come down and there would be a blanket of snow all over our living room carpet with a trail going from the chimney to the tree with boot marks imprinted in the snow. This made Christmas so magical for me as I believed that Santa could come down the chimney and placed all the presents under the tree. My parents put so much effort into my Christmas (they still do now - even though the truth has all been revealed) and they made it so that I would believe in the miracle of Father Christmas ❤
Cindy Lou Who
A Favorite Holiday Tradition
In my family, we all have cute and funny Christmas jumpers (some even had bells!) so we all wear our Christmas jumpers and silly Christmas hats, then we all meet up in the pub for drinks! We did it yesterday evening and it's always so much fun!
Frosty the Snowman
A Memory Involving Snow or A Memory You Would Like to Have Involving Snow
I have quite a few memories of snow, especially snow days when I was in secondary school. One I always remember is going round to my friend's house after being sent home from school for a snow day. We got all dressed up in multiple layers of leggings, trousers, jumper on jumper, huge coats and our wellies. We then went to a huge field behind her house and spent all afternoon sledging with the other kids who lived on her street and it was so much fun (until it got way too cold and I couldn't feel my feet anymore!) 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
A Holiday Activity You Like Doing
Settling down in front of the TV, with Christmas pyjamas on, candles lit, a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows, cuddling with the dog and watching Christmas movies or TV specials! This week leading up to Christmas I plan on spending most of my evenings doing just this ❤
Ebenezer Scrooge
“Bah, Humbug!”
A Favorite Holiday Saying or Quote

"Christmas is the season of joy, gift-giving, and of families united" - Norman Vincent Peale

I Tag


Sally from littlebudget.co.uk
Ruth from ruthinrevolt.com

See you tomorrow for Blogmas Day Eighteen ❤

Amy x  

Sunday, 16 December 2018

Blogmas Day 16: Christmas Events in Derbyshire

Hey Guys!

Welcome to Day Sixteen of Blogmas

There are so many great Christmas events going on around the UK this time of year. You've got Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park in London, Edinburgh's Christmas Market and Santa's Grotto. In Newcastle, we have a huge ice rink in Times Square near the Centre For Life and the Christmas market near Monument in the city centre. 

Now that I'm back in my hometown with my family for Christmas I wanted to share the Christmas events that are still taking place in Derbyshire for the festive season ❄


A lot of the best Christmas events are taking place at the state homes around Derbyshire, where you can buy tickets on the National Trust website or the stately home's website which will be linked in the description ❤

Christmas at Chatsworth House


Photo Credit: Chatsworth.org


Once Upon a Time...


Visit Christmas at Chatsworth and immerse yourself in the enchanting fairy tale scenes dotted around the house. For 'Once Upon a Time', Chatsworth has created scenes of our favourite fairytales where: 

"Storytellers with the air of the Pied Piper will roam the halls enchanting visitors young and old as scenes from a selection of favourite tales leap off the pages, from classics like Snow White and Cinderella to contemporary stories like James and the Giant Peach and Charlotte's Web."

With perfect Christmas decorations and scenes of magical fairytales, Chatsworth will get you in the festive spirit ❤

Tickets are £25 for adults and £15 for children.


Twilight Evenings


On Thursdays and Fridays until the 21st December Chatsworth is holding 'Twilight Evenings' where guests can enjoy a mince pie, a glass of wine and live music while seeing scenes from their favourite childhood stories come to life. With traditional bell ringers and a strings trio, your evening will bring the Christmas magic to life!

Tickets are £30 for adults and £18 for children. 

Christmas at Haddon Hall


Photo Credit: haddonhall.co.uk
Haddon Hall has an interesting history and heritage close to that of the Sleeping Beauty tale and this Christmas they bring their story to life. Haddon Hall: 
"proudly invite you, your family, children and friends to join us for this year's Christmas festivities and celebrations of 'Sleeping Beauty and Other Tales'.  Come and be delighted by the fairy tales of old and let the magic of Christmas take hold . . . "
 Tickets are £15.75 for adults and children are free.

Candlelight Tours

For Haddon Hall's Candlelight Tours guests are invited to enjoy a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie before walking around the Hall to take in the magical atmosphere! Only available until the 20th December tickets are £29.00. 

Christmas Ice Rink in Derby


Photo Credit: derbylive.co.uk

In the Cathedral Quarter in Derby City Centre, there is an ice rink where you can meet your friends or take your family until the 6th January 2019. With live music, Christmas fair stalls and food you'll have lots to do - tickets are between £7 - £9. 

Twelve Days of Calke's Christmas


Photo Credit: nationaltrust.org.uk

At Calke Abbey this year they present the Twelve Days of Calke's Christmas with Father Christmas even paying a visit! Weekends at Calke Abbey are a magical time for all families where memories can be made. 

"Find inspiration at the Christmas gift and food markets in the Riding School, then explore the grounds to discover twelve festive displays, telling stories from Calke's past. As darkness falls, follow a twinkling trail of lights and illuminations through the Pleasure Grounds to the church, and catch a glimpse of the house lit up in festive lights. Squirt's Stable will be open for Christmas crafts."

You can also pay a visit to Father Christmas in his magical stable grotto to share your Christmas wishes and make family Christmas memories ❤

Tickets are £15 for adults and £7.50 for children.

Breakfast with Father Christmas

Other than visit his magical stable grotto you can also have breakfast with Father Christmas. Calke Abbey is serving filling breakfasts on Thursday 20, Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 December, starting from 9.15am, followed by a visit from Santa himself!
Tickets cost £8 for adults and £12.50 for children, which also includes a Christmas gift for all well-behaved children. 

Christmas at Kedleston


Photo Credit: nationaltrust.org.uk

Christmas at Kedleston is a great place to spend the countdown to Christmas this year. You can buy a real Christmas tree to take home, there are craft activities and workshops for Christmas lovers, with Father Christmas visiting families and children and a festive lunch taking place in the restaurant until the 23rd December ❤
When you visit Kedleston they have suggested guests:

"take a guided tour of the State Floor, decorated for Christmas, followed by a festive mince pie and a glass of sherry by the fires in Caesar's Hall on one of our Sherry and mince pie tours. Christmas can get very busy in the hall but this tour offers a quieter, more relaxed experience whilst the Hall is closed to visitors"


This event costs £7.50 ❄

For their Christmas decorations this year Kedleston has been inspired by birds. With each Christmas tree embellishing the hall they tell the story of each beautiful bird. From the red-breasted robin to the two turtle doves, to owls, turkeys and peacocks.

You can even have breakfast with Father Christmas for £11 per adult and £13 per children. 

Christmas at Hardwick Hall


Photo Credit: nationtrust.org.uk

Until the 23rd December 2018, there is plenty of festive cheer at Hardwick. As you arrive look out for the snowmen, see the house glimmer with magical Christmas lights, take a photo with all the family in a sleigh and discover magical surprises along the way. You could even treat yourself in the Great Barn restaurant to a festive meal ❄

With a magnificent 16ft tree welcoming guests into the Hall you will be dazzled by all the decorations, with the opportunity to take festive family photos with willow reindeer.


Tickets are £11.80 for adults and £5.90 for children. 

Winter Wonderland Conkers 2018


Photo Credit: visitconkers.com

Conkers is a great place to visit with the family! Get ready for a full day of family fun with tickets at £11.95 for adults and £13.95 for children. As you arrive at Waterside Winter Wonderland an Elf adventure awaits you. Santa's Chief Elf and his team of helpers will lead you through the Enchanted Forest, the Valley of Christmas Lights to then reveal Santa's Woodland Grotto, so make sure you all wrap up warm ❤

When guests arrive adults receive a glass of mulled wine with a mince pie and children get to choose from the delightful selection of freshly baked treats! On your visit, your family can take a trip on Head Elf's Twinkle Toes Train, meet the Balloon Modeller and watch a selection of Conkers Christmas shows & films!

You'll have tons of magical fun!

❄❄❄

Is there a Christmas event you go to every year? Let me know in the comments below!

See you tomorrow for Day Seventeen of Blogmas

Amy x

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