December 1st. It’s finally here. Advent calendars opened for the first day, Christmas songs on repeat and Christmas jumpers finally making an appearance. It’s officially the time of year where we can begin to get even more frantic than normal about the number of shopping trips we have to make.
Presents, cards, food, decorations, the works. There’s no turning back now, there is no more chances to put it off. It’s time to get on with it! But before all of that, there are a few things that are just a must-do before we reach the rapidly-approaching 25th December.
Get festive at the Christmas Market!
Christmas markets. Not so many years ago you would only hear of the odd market here and there, a small one in a main town centre if you’re lucky. But now every town, square and village seems to have a Christmas market in one way, shape or form. It’s a chance to bring out those winter woollies and dress up all warm and cosy. Roam around the traditional, German-inspired huts filled with all things Christmassy. Roasted chestnuts and mulled wine – if that doesn’t shout Christmas then I don’t know what does.
Festive songs. If you ask me, there should be a very strict rule that you are not allowed to play/listen to any form of Christmas song until we hit December 1st. And before you start, it’s not for the reason that I am the ultimate Bah Humbug, but in all honestly, by the time we actually reach Christmas Day we’re all sick of the same Christmas songs! So, as we’ve reached the landmark date it is officially acceptable to listen and sing along to those Christmas classics as much as you like!
Christmas jumpers. These are another festive treat that need to be saved until we reach December. There is such a wide range of knitted, festive attire for the Christmas period allowing you to decide whether you prefer a tragically, over-commercialised design, or whether you’re more a fan of the sophisticated theme – Christmassy patterns, often with a reindeer or two. You’d be surprised how many people take pride in their Christmas jumpers and how they are quickly becoming the dress code for all festive events.
Bake a little Christmas
Bake a little Christmas
Gingerbreads and mince pies – homemade of course! This is where we spot the creative one out of us all, the one that always tries to trump you with a gingerbread house. But it is the perfect Christmas activity for a wintery day. With a few Christmas classics playing in the background, getting creative with the festive treats. Delicious. Don’t mind if I join you!
So it may only be another 24 days until the big man himself arrives, but there are plenty of festivities that you can get your teeth into this Christmas. Don’t go overboard though, make sure you save some space for the turkey!
Okay – first of all, don’t shoot me for mentioning the C-word already, but as it has passed bonfire and firework night, I felt that it was an acceptable time to start talking about Christmas. I mean, deep down I can tell you’re excited already and really there is only 24 days until that first door on your advent calendar can be opened. So what are you fretting about?!
Advent calendars are the first festive activity that we can officially get excited about, so what better time to talk about advent calendars. 2014 has well and truly outdone any advent calendars that you may have had in the past. We’re moving on to bigger, better, and definitely more expensive, things!
Beauty advent calendars are what everyone is talking about. Behind each door is something more delicious that chocolate. Nail varnish, hand creams, moisturisers, lip glosses; you really are in for a treat! Obviously these are predominantly aimed at women, but there is always something out there for the male audience, too. So don’t fret, I’m sure you can be fronted with something more than just a chocolate through the 24 days of Christmas build-up!
After searching the streets, as well as the web, for this year’s hottest buys, I came across what could easily be the top 10 beauty advent calendars of all time. Get ready.
Benefit Cosmetics £60
The ‘Candy-Coated Countdown’
The Benefit calendar is back for another year. This one has made appearances in previous years, but this season it is promised to be better than ever. ‘Candy-Coated Countdown’, I’m already excited. It’s packed with miniature versions of the brand’s best sellers and even a few beauty accessories, so you definitely won’t be short of a little bit of sass this Christmas period!
Tesco £50
Try something new at Tesco!
There’s a first for everything and this year it’s Tesco’s turn to jump on the band wagon with their very own beauty calendar. For one of the cheapest prices, you can receive a whopping £125 worth of essential goodies, every day throughout December. Nip+Fab, Tanya Burr, Katy Perry. You name it, they’re all in there. Dreamy!
Selfridges £85
Advent Calendars with a Story book theme
Obviously there had to be something a bit more upmarket, so Selfridges is always someone that you can rely on for a worthy buy. This year their advent calendar has been designed in the style of a story book – cute! The Enchanted Spells calendar has a range of magical spells and potions hidden behind each door. A selection of makeup, fragrances and top skincare products scouted from some of the top beauty brands. I hope you’ve been good this year because you can’t miss out on this one!
Ciate £49
The ‘Mini Mani Manor’
Nail freeks, get excited. This one is for you. Ciate have launched the ‘Mini Mani Manor’ for this season. Peel back each day to discover a ravishing new shade of the brand’s well-known polish. Textures, new-best sellers, glitter, they’ll all be there. There’s only one thing to say to Ciate. Nailed it!
Liberty £149
Liberty London inspired advent calendar
Release the inner Londoner within you. Liberty London have released the Rolls Royce of all advent calendars. With the front replicating the iconic London store, each gift is stowed away in it’s own draw. You can expect delightful treats from the likes of Nars, Dermologica, and Diptyque. Maybe Christmas came early this year!
Jo Malone £250
Dinky draws of beauty treats
Now, I might have to retract the Rolls Royce comment for Liberty because, if that is the case, then this is the Bentley! The priciest calendar on the market this season, but most probably the best ever. The brand has kept the Georgian townhouse theme, and is another one with cute little draws. Offerings of fragrances and skincare products, its really not a surprise that this would set you back £250.
The Body Shop £50
Give to charity with The Body Shop calendar
This one is another that has previously made an appearance around Christmas time. Jam-packed with some of the newest and most popular Body Shop products, make sure you get this one on your list of things to buy. Not only are you saving yourself pennies with what you receive, each calendar sold sees a donation given to the charity ‘War Child’, sending children to school in areas of conflict. You can’t say no now!
No7 £35
Unwrap 25 days of Christmas treats, courtesy of No7
No7 have done well to pull this one out of the bag. They certainly have done their research on other companies’ calendars as they’ve given their calendar 25 (yes – one for Christmas Day, too!) dinky doors with special treats for each and every day. Big sellers, including the Perfect and Protect Intense Day Cream, are an example of what you will found hidden in this beauty.
Elemis £59.50
12 days of Christmas beauty treats
Maybe you can’t justify a present to yourself.. but then again, maybe you can! This one is definitely a compromise with the 12 days of Christmas theme that is going on here. Pamper yourself with skin and beauty miniatures and make your New Year’s resolution to save money – good luck!
L’Occitane £45
L’Occitane’s culturally Chrismassy calendar
Now, time to end with something a bit more cultural (but still beautiful!), ’13 Pampering Treats from the Provence’. And before you start asking why there is 13, let me tell you. It is a holiday tradition to have 13 desserts on the festival table. So let this be your most chic way to celebrate Christmas and indulge yourself in L’Occitane loveliness.
The 21st century has well and truly moved on from traditional Christmassy pictures, so if beauty advent calendars are not something you have come across before, maybe this year is the time to give it a go!
katiemallalieu 