It’s Christmas next week and I feel a bit bad about my lack of Christmas posts. I’m aiming to get a bit more up over the weekend, anyone say chocolate sleigh? Or Yule Log? But anyway I was tagged by Sybil across at Gin Fuelled Blue Stockings for 15 Christmas facts.
01. Favourite Festive Food
Far too easy, I remember being a kid and discovering Pigs in Blankets and it shattering my world. I could probably just have a Christmas dinner consisting of them and gravy and I’d be happy. As far as the favourite thing I make it’d probably be Cranberry & Orange Loaves though.
02. Favourite Reindeer
Blitzen, I haven’t really got a reason for this, it’s just a pretty good name. Plus why not route for the bad guy this Christmas, they always get such a hard time of it with all these soppy Christmas movies. I can’t say this is something I’ve ever particularly thought about
03. Favourite Day of Christmas
Boxing day, we usually go on a walk around wherever it is we are spending Christmas. This ranges from a stroll down the lane if it’s in Appleton Roebuck or a proper hike if we’re somewhere like Scotland. Plus you get the leftover Pigs in Blankets, what’s not to like? Also football is on, so it gives me something to watch that isn’t just Christmas tele.
04. Favourite Christmas Song
Ah, this one is an easy one. Reuben – Christmas is Awesome
05. Favourite Present
There are three here, from very different times of my life:
• The first would be my old mountain bike. It was a Giant, white with those pointless antler type handlebars that every kid wanted. 21 gears and everything. The use I got out of that in my youth was huge. I loved it. It’s still kicking about in my parent’s shed actually. I think it’ll be going in the move unfortunately.
• My Kenwood food mixer. Other than the above mentioned bike I’m not sure if a present I’ve received has ever had so much use. I use this thing 2-3 times a week, sometimes more. It’s fuckin’ brilliant and I couldn’t be more grateful for it. Gone are the days where I have to whisk to a stiff peak by hand. It may not be a Kitchenaid but it doesn’t have to be and I love it.
• My “The Bearded Bakery” apron & Mug from last Christmas. My Mum did this unprompted and it made me so happy. The original apron disappeared during the year but my friend Katie helped me sort a new one before the shoot we did earlier this year.
06. Favourite Festive Film
Die Hard. What says Christmas better than “Now I have a machine gun, Ho-Ho-Ho.”? It’s a masterpiece, from start to finish. From the cheesy Germanic bad guys to Rickman pretending to be a civilian. It’s just pure cheesy action filled with one liners and ridiculous clichéd action.
Definitely not Elf. No.
My runners up: Muppet Christmas Carol, Arthur Christmas and Home Alone.
07. Favourite Festive Cracker Toy
Bottle openers, they help me with the booze situation on Christmas day and mean I’ve not got to walk over to the kitchen to get an opener. I can just sit there getting more and more full and a little bit drunker while watching Lord of the Rings for the millionth time.
08. Favourite Cracker Joke
Who hides in the bakery at Christmas? – A Mince Spy
09. Favourite Christmas Decoration
I am not in the slightest religious. In fact I can say I am an out and out atheist that spends time discussing with people he knows about atheism and science etc. However, possibly my favourite Christmas decoration is the nativity set that my Grandfather made our family. This is purely for sentimental and nostalgic reason.
10. Favourite Christmas Candle Scent
The one I’m currently using, which is a Cinnamon Bun scented candle. I do however really like the winter spiced ones you can get at this time of year.
11. Favourite Christmas TV Advert
There isn’t a lot I can say here. Adverts aren’t particularly things I go crazy for. So I’m going to say none of them, soz Grinch.
12. Favourite Festive Tradition
Getting up at about 6am to get the Turkey ready with my dad. He used to do it on his own but these days I usually help him (if we are having Turkey, we’ve mixed it up on the odd occasion lately. For instance we had Goose when we Christmassed in Vienna). He’s got an exact recipe that he likes to use every year, from a Gary Rhodes or Delia book he read back in the 90s and it requires wrapping in various layers of foil, sort of like a parcel and then cooking it over a number of hours.
Yup, that’s right my favourite tradition for Christmas involves getting up ridiculously early. I am mad, I know this. Unfortunately we won’t be doing it this year as we are having a big family get together in Devon and we’re only in charge of starters and desserts.
13. Favourite Place to Spend Christmas
Mull. Only done it once (so far) but I really enjoyed it. I can safely say that I go on about Scotland and Mull far, far, too much but it’s just wonderful. Getting to the middle of nowhere for a bit and really switching off is just the best way to spend Christmas. Even if like last year, it’s in the middle of a storm. With my parents moving to Mull at the start of January I’m expecting to be spending a larger number up there and I can’t wait.
14. Favourite Christmas Fact
John McClane is actually Father Christmas.
15. Favourite Snowman Accessory
Scarf. Which is odd as neither of the scarfs I own are ones that I actually wear. I just think a snowman looks better with one.
I hope you enjoyed this completely inane ramble. I now tag:
Thom @ Cous Cous Bang Bang
Daisy @ Pretty Green Tea
Emily @ Recipes and Reviews