Walking in a Winter Wonderland

It’s been a couple of years since I last went to Winter Wonderland, a pop-up free attraction that takes over Hyde Park every winter. Each year it grows bigger, to the point where it’s now basically a free Christmas theme park split into different “lands”; Santa land, Fairy land, Bavarian village and so on. Markets, ice-skating, mazes, rides, food and drink; it’s all happening! Obviously as it’s free entry and in Britain, the whole purpose is to get royally trashed. One of my favourite “adult” experiences is getting drunk and going on rollercoasters; it’s the best!

Last time I had the opportunity was back in Tokyo DisneySea, so obviously the trip to Winter Wonderland revolved around stopping off at the pop-up bars and little bar cabins. We made a beeline for the carousel bar which spins around as you drink, before grabbing a couple of mulled ciders and riding the Ghost Train rides. I absolutely love fairground rides! Even if you don’t fancy paying to ride the rollercoasters, just wandering around the twinkly lights and decorations whilst feeling increasingly hazy is a pretty important part of any London Christmas. Let me know if you’ve been!

Christmas Wishes

“Hey, I’ve got a Christmas Tree in my hair! Ho Ho Ho!!” – what a twat. So anyway, ICYMI I’m undertaking #Slogmas. I realise that for most people #Blogmas and #Vlogmas will be Christmas – themed and I can tell you right now the “content” I have pre-planned is not Christmassy. No sir. Crime, cakes, tinder dates, race, Steven Universe, homosexual animals, shrunken heads, television, burgers and cartoons, fine by me; Christmas… well there’s this and one other Christmas post, so, not that much.

That aside, I thought why not ease myself in with a simple Christmas list (there won’t be too many of these, don’t worry). By nature I’m a born Scrooge but in the last few years I’ve been trying to change that. I thought I’d tell you about the festivities I have planned for this year; I’m trying to avoid turning Christmas into some kind of task-based checklist, but these are the things I’d like to happen.

1. Buy a Christmas tree and invest in some decorations, then actually decorate my office with them.

2. Watch a lot of Christmas films (I’ve only seen two. Seriously)

3. Write Christmas cards and actually send them to my overseas family!

4. Go to my favourite London spots during weekdays (nobody wants to deal with those weekend shopping crowds) and try to appreciate the Winter weather.

5. Visit at least 3 Christmas attractions.

6. Have a really good night out!!!

7. Cook a special Christmas dinner for all of my closest friends.

8. Try to visit my family.

9. Record a Christmas cover with James.

10. Create a Christmas category on my blog. (DONE) (YEAH BEING PRODUCTIVE…ISH)

At present I have a few gigs planned, but almost no social events due to the huge workload I have over Christmas, but there are a few parties I’m hoping to make if I get the time! What are you guys hoping to do this Christmas? Also – I’ve only planned about 10 days of Slogmas! So if you a request, please make yourself known.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! I hope you’re all having a marvellous day!

I wrapped up work this morning and spent the rest of the day with James sorting presents. I’ll be in Brighton and Isle Of Wight over the next week, but right now I’m at my parents house. The smell of spiced orange bread and iced sugar cookies coupled with the twinkly decorations everywhere certainly put me in the festive mood!

Their house is a weird mish-mash of objects and furnishings; certainly not pinterest-worthy but it’s good to have some mess sometimes! It made me smile when I got back to my parents and saw the familiar weird decorations on the tree; the tasselled cylinders are actually wine bottle corks pasted with festive ribbon and yarn. My mum made them with her friends the first year she was in the UK and couldn’t afford decorations of her own. My housemates and I decorated our house with foil, printed stars, homemade wreaths and upcycled bottle tops this year  – matching baubles isn’t a luxury any of us could quite afford either. :)

Sending all my warmest blogging wishes to all of you, have a wonderful christmas day. X