It is finally Christmas Eve! Not that it feels like it. I think this is the first Christmas Eve where I don't feel Christmassy for some reason - probably because I'm getting older and you realise how expensive Christmas actually is!
Even though my student house has been decorated since the end of November and I returned home in the middle of December to a wonderfully decorated house, I just can't seem to get into the Christmas spirit this year! (probably partly due to the fact that I haven't yet had a mince pie due to my mum hiding them away until Christmas Day - I blame her!)
Every Christmas Eve, me and my family always go to the cinema to watch a film - it's been a tradition ever since we turned too old to be going to the pantomime. But first we made a trip to Starbucks! I of course had Gingerbread Latte, it is a must around Christmas time as it just tastes so festive. I was hoping this was going to put me in the Christmas spirit today of all days but no I was wrong!
Today we watched the third and final installment of The Hobbit which I would definitely recommend seeing (providing you have seen the first two first otherwise it wouldn't make any sense!) This was probably the most violent of the three films but there was no blood or guts to the delight of many people I'm sure! (including me!) I also saw my old form tutor that I had for 5 years from Year 7-11 which was nice as I hadn't seen him in a year and a half, he hasn't changed one bit, unlike me!
As I am writing this, the smell of gammon cooking is lurking in my house. This is a Christmas smell I am very familiar with as my mum cooks a gammon joint (or 2 is the case this year) every Christmas to have on sandwiches, yum!
Even watching The Grinch today hasn't made me feel festive. How sad. I'm hoping I wake up in a more Christmassy mood tomorrow, not that it seems likely at the moment (I'm not a Scrooge, honest!)
As I've grown older, I've learnt to love giving presents more than receiving them (not that my bank balance will agree with!) I love to see the look on peoples faces when they tear back the wrapping paper to reveal their surprise! Particularly my parents, I have bought a shared Christmas present this year that I think they'll love (just as much as me I hope!) You also learn, particularly as a student, that family is the most important thing at Christmas seeing as I have hardly seen them for the last 3 months. And food of course, I've got to make up for lost calories over these last few months! Perhaps not alcohol though, I think I should take a break from too much alcohol over these next couple of weeks!
This will be my last post before the big day tomorrow so I hope everyone has a good Christmas, gets all the presents they want and enjoys a lovely feast! Merry Christmas! I'll see you on the other side of tomorrow, probably a stone heavier than I am now!
Do you feel Christmassy this year? Do you think the meaning of Christmas changes as you get older? What have you done to get you into the festive spirit? Do you prefer giving or receiving?