As I haven’t done one of these posts for a while, I thought I would create a list just before Christmas of all the things that have been helping me get in the festive spirit (with only a little alcohol involved).

1. Gingerbread Lattes – Varies from Starbucks
   The run up to Christmas seems to start earlier and earlier each year, for me there are two key events that marks the beginning of Christmas, the Coca Cola Trucks advert and the Red Cups at Starbucks! As the days get colder one of my favourite ways to unwind on a pre-Christmas afternoon off, is in Starbucks reading a good book and sipping a gingerbread latte.
2. Crimble Crumble – Varies from Pret
   I’m not a huge fan of most the Christmas desserts, I don’t like Christmas Cake or Pudding, but I love Mince Pies. Obviously, homemade ones are the best, however when I need refueling whilst out Christmas shopping, I love the Pret slices, a mince pie with a spiced crumble topping, perfect for the Christmassy pick me up.
3. Love Actually – N/A
   I know there are hundreds of Christmassy movies out there, but this is a film I like to watch a few weeks before Christmas to cheer me up! The inter-connecting love stories, the getting ready for Christmas and of course all of set in London.
4. Philosphy’s Gingerbread Girl Body Lotion from £18.00 available from Boots
   As I mentioned I love Gingerbread, to me the smell just reminds me of more recent Christmases, probably all the Lattes I have been drinking. This time of year I have to add more lotion into my beauty regime – to make up for the chapped skin from the cold and central heating, so if I have to apply loads of cream it might as well be my favourite Christmas scent.
5. Winter Wonderland – N/A
   Whilst I do love the idea of a Dickens Christmas in London, we all know the snow here is that horrid grey slush, or the Thames will never freeze for us to ice skate on, so instead we need fake snow and man-made ice-skating rinks. Winter Wonderland is an amazing mix of little market stalls, places to eat and drink and hundreds of fun things to do – from ice skating to the circus. For a lovely evening you can sip alcoholic hot chocolate or mulled wine in the heart of Hyde Park pretending you are in for ski chalet in the Alps.

Whilst on ravelry last year, I found a pattern for advent calendar made of mini knitted hats, I just loved this idea but thought all along I would prefer to make mini stocking (after all knitters love making socks!) My original plan was to use Carissaknits holiday stockings pattern, in fact I had the pattern in my ravelry queue for nearly a year. Last month, I figured it would be quicker and easier to make the baby booties from Last-Minute Knitted Gifts.