The Christmas Tag 2018 GeraldineTalks Collab

Thanks to the lovely Geraldine from Geraldine Talks for suggesting that we collab. I’ve created an all-new Christmas Tag for us to kick off Blogmas together with. The Christmas Tag 2018 is festive Q&A that anyone can join in with. 

Geraldine is tagging some of you lovely people personally and I’m tagging anyone and everyone who wants to take part in the Christmas 2018 tag. You can either leave your answers in the comments section at the end of this post or create your own blog post if you have a blog and would prefer to do that. 

You can check out Geraldine’s Christmas 2018 tag here. 

The Christmas Tag 2018

1. Is September too early for shops to start selling Christmas stuff?

The beginning of September, I would say yes, it is too early as it’s not even Autumn yet! Nearer to the end of the month is when it feels slightly more natural to me.

How far ahead do you start buying Christmas gifts for loved ones?

Whenever I see something nice for somebody, so that could be anytime all year round from January through to December. I try to get a little stockpile of gifts together so there’s less to do nearer Christmas when the shops are always super busy. Truth be told, no matter how organised I think I’m being, I always still seem to end up with quite a bit of last minute shopping to do as well!

How organised are you about planning your Christmas?  

I’m less organised than I like to think I am! I probably sweat the small stuff too much and lose sight of the bigger picture in between all the little details sometimes.

Do you love or hate Christmas shopping?

Oh, this is hard! It’s a bit of both for me really. I like the atmosphere, it’s truly magical at times. But I hate the massive crowds, all the last minute rushing around the panic buying. I also notice a lot of people seem to be stressed out and that makes me feel very sympathetic. I think we sometimes put a lot of pressure on ourselves to find the perfect gift for someone and it’s always good to remember that it’s the thought that counts! 

Do you celebrate any religious aspects of Christmas?

I tend to celebrate the more secular aspects of Christmas but I do appreciate the significance of the Christian aspects too. 

Do you prefer to receive lots of little gifts or one big gift?

Lot’s of little gifts for me, please! Christmas stockings stuffed with mini goodies are my favourite! Little gifts are great too because then you get to open presents all day long making the excitement continue for longer!  

Which do you enjoy the most: giving or receiving presents?

Previously, I would have always said giving presents was 100% my preference but these days I think I enjoy receiving them more! I think that this is because I tend to second-guess myself and wonder if I have bought somebody the right gift, etc. So that makes giving presents more stressful than receiving them.

Do you own a Christmas jumper?

I think so… might need to have a rummage in my wardrobe to see if I still have it. I definitely have a Santa dress though! 

Describe your perfect Christmas Dinner.

My perfect Christmas dinner would be fairly traditional with lots of carrots, broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, roasted parsnips, roast potatoes, sage and onion stuffing, Linda McCartney sausages, Quorn Chicken fillets, pickled onions, Yorkshire puddings, vegetarian gravy and mint sauce.

Where do you normally eat Christmas Dinner?

Either at home or at a relative’s house. I have never eaten Christmas dinner on Christmas Day at a restaurant or pub!

What’s your favourite Christmas chocolate or candy?

Chocolate coins! I also like Ferraro Rocher and Lindor chocolates. I only tend to eat them at Christmas too, which makes them more special.  

What is your favourite thing about Christmas?

The time with loved ones and the slow pace of everything once Christmas actually arrives. It makes for a nice contrast after all of the hustle and bustle in the run up Christmas. 

What is your least favourite thing about Christmas?

The sadness that often comes at the time of year when we are reminded of loved ones who are no longer around to celebrate with us. 

Name your top three Christmas songs

• Have yourself a merry little Christmas (Hayley Westenra)
• Happy Xmas (War is Over) By John Lennon and Yoko Ono)
• Last Christmas By (Wham) 

Name your top three Christmas films

• Oliver Twist Musical (1968)  
• The Snowman (1982)
• Edward Scissorhands (1990)

If you could time travel back to any Christmas Day from the past, what age would you have been at the time you’d go back to?

Four years old because I was young enough to believe in Santa and to find absolutely everything about Chriatmas truly magical.

On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most and one being the least, how much are you looking forward to Christmas this year?

I’d say my excitement level is probably a 6 right now but hopefully, it might creep a little bit higher closer to the time. 

On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the most and one being the least, how much are you stressed about Christmas this year?

Probably a 3. I’m not very stressed out yet but I am stating to accumulate a large to-do list, so the pressure is definitely building!

What’s the best piece of advice you could give to anybody to help them enjoy Christmas to the max?

Do what you want to do and don’t do what you don’t want to do. Tradition is a worthy thing to honour but it should never come at the expense of doing what you really want to do. And plus, maybe you want to make some new traditions too! 😉

What time do you go to bed on Christmas eve and what time do you wake up on Christmas morning?

It varies but ideally I think around 9am is good but in reality, it will probably be a lot sooner.

What aesthetic do you prefer: traditional & handmade or modern & glitzy?

They both appeal to me massively but I prefer the unique character and authenticity of more traditional handmade Christmas decor. 

When do you put up and take down your decorations?

They usually go up mid-December. I’m trying to be good and have them down by January 6th this year but in practice, it may not quite go to plan if previous years are anything to judge by. 

What’s the true meaning of Christmas to you?

Being extra kind and caring towards others. It means counting your blessings, even when facing adversity and hardship. More than anything, I think Christmas means hope and never losing hope of a better tomorrow, even when today seems entirely hopeless.

Do you stay awake to see in the new year?

Yes! Although one year I did fall asleep only to wake up during the very last 10 second countdown!

Do you make any resolutions and if so, how long do you normally keep them for?

Hmm, not really a resolution type of person as I set goals for myself whenever I want to or need to. I might not be able to stick with things at first but I usually keep trying and sometimes, I get there in the end. I think resolutions should be realistic as it’s easy to get attached to overly ambitious goals that aren’t attainable and that can create a lot of stress in the long-run. 

I hope you have enjoyed this post and happy 1st of December! Thank you so much for collabing Geraldine. Please consider yourself tagged if you would like to take part and these questions too. 

Miss Beauty Saver x