Christmas is right around the corner – were talking in just two weeks time! Christmas is a period to relax, chill and make memories with those around you.
We’ve put together a couple of preparation tips to help in the busy ‘silly’ season.
Wrapping
Gift wrapping can sometimes feel like a chore and anything that’s not a square box can provide an un-motivating challenge – I feel ya. There are a couple of options in your favour – why not get your wrapping done while you’re at the mall and support a local organisation at the same time? Most of the malls will offer this service for a small donation.
There’s also the classic gift bag stitch up and Cotton On have got some beaut ones that are drawstring and the proceeds go to their foundation – tick tick. If you are going to do some of your own wrapping, my pick is the 3 packs from Typo that have Mickey Mouse and Snoopy on them – you also can’t go wrong with anything Santa-related or the classic brown paper with twine ribbon combo.
Soundtrack
Christmas Music can be cheesy and while it’s no fun hearing that one song on repeat while shopping at the mall, check out a couple of our favourite Christmas tunes (new ones and classics!) to add to your festive playlist to help put you in the right mood…
1. Ariana Grande – Santa Tell Me
2. Justin Bieber – Mistletoe
3. SIA – Santa’s Coming For Us
4. Michael Buble – It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas
5. Band Aid 30 – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
6. Human Nature ft. Jessica Mauboy – Sleigh Ride
7. Mariah Carey – All I Want For Christmas Is You
8. John Lennon – Happy Xmas (War is Over)
9.Wham! – Last Christmas
10. Bruce Springsteen – Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town
Treats
While you’ve got your main meals on the table – my sweet tooth would say that the sweet treats are just as important! While a Pavlova with fresh fruit is a staple, I did jump on Pinterest for some inspo and made some Christmas Tree Brownies last year. Basically use your fave brownie recipe (or a trusty pre-mix), bake, cut the brownie tray into triangles once cooled and utilise a piping bag to drizzle green icing, sprinkles/small round candy over it and add a candy cane to finish it off.
While I love making things from scratch, I have come custom to utilising baking’s good ol pal Betty Crocker’s mixes to help while in a time crunch – plus they taste so good! You could use one of their brownie mixes and add your own touch (like above) or even adding ingredients to put together Christmas Chocolate Truffles and Christmas Gingerbread Cookies… I’m getting hungry thinking about it all.
If you’re still looking to tick off some off your Christmas shopping, head over to our Stocking Stuffers gift guide for some cool ideas.