Emily Mary Loves: Season's Greetings!

Hello lovelies!

I hope you're all well, with loved ones nearby and able to relax in the run up to christmas.

Before all the frivolously festive photos, it must be said that 2012 really has been a mixed year for everybody. There has been so many tragedies, so many innocent lives lost, and I only hope that these horrors can be useful in turning the corner. Seeing the 26 acts movement, I wish that it provides some sort of solice and comfort to those who lost their dear children and family members so cruelly. My thoughts are with them.

2013 will be a new start, for all.

How inviting does this cabin look?!

It's Calvin and I's first Christmas together, (well technically second as we became "official" on 23rd December, 1st year anniversary coming up!), and this has meant a bit of a change in the way my Christmas normally is. I tried to keep up with the usual family traditions, like putting the Christmas tree up with Mum, I'll be shopping on Christmas Eve with my Dad and cooking together with Mum on Christmas Day. I even have a delicious new, tried-and-tested recipe for the veggie side (me and my Dad) which involves lentils, leeks, mushrooms, breadcrumbs and cheese! I'll be bringing you the recipe very soon.

My Parents' Tree from last year!

I used to utterly detest putting up the family tree with my mum. Not because of the time it took (it's pretty huge!) but because it's a fake tree and dusty and gross! It usually happened after a long day at college or school and really was the last thing I wanted to do. But I'm glad I made time for it this year. Now I'm moved out totally, living in our perfect little house, I feel it's really important to do stuff like this with my parents.

A glimpse of Calvin and I's first tree before the cat wrecked it!

With our tree, we (meaning 'I' as Calvin couldn't care less), went for a red and white theme, including real peppermint candy canes <3 I spent less than £35 which is amazing considering Asda (my go-to) are selling similar trees (not decorated!) for £50+. The tree was £24.96 from Tescos, absolutely great for the quality, it's a 6ft bushy (not so much now it's the preferred sitting/sleeping place for Catface), with acorns and slightly white tips. And most of the decorations I got from a discount superstore called B&M, the large striped baubles were £2.99 for 6, the tinsel 3 for £2, the mushrooms were 4 for 99p, and the mini baubles about 12 for £1.99. I got the fake candy cane from Tesco for around 99p for 6 and the fake red pearls (?) for 69p.

Over the years we'll probably get a larger tree and buy a couple of decorations each year in the sales! Oh gosh, I am so excited for the sales! More about that later!

For now, I'll leave you with a few more pretty pictures.