It’s Christmas Eve, and the last 5 Minute Coffee Corner post of 2020! It’s festively cold, but that good cold where it’s crisp, fresh, and the sky is a wonderful palette of pastel blues, pinks and yellows. Perfect festive weather!
It’s been a strange one this year, hasn’t it? I’ve very much reached a point of craving normal life now, craving festive social outings and happy times with loved ones. Craving the things I take for granted, craving having somewhere to go, and craving having friends over for drunken nights in and performing renditions of Feliz Navidad to a very hungover James while he lies in bed trying to sleep off his pain (yes, this happened and no, I didn’t video it – it’s a regret that will remain with me forever!) I keep reminding myself that allowing yourself to mourn the year that never was does not mean that people don’t have things worse, or that you are narrow-mindedly only thinking about yourself. All feelings are valid, and I very much believe there’s a need to just feel our feelings, and allow them, regardless of what else is going on right now. Or, like me, you could hammer copious amounts of ‘Christmas wine’ (because Christmas wine is different to ordinary wine) and pretend everything is normal. Whatever floats your boat!
I’m counting my blessings that I’m fortunate enough to be able to spend Christmas with my loved ones this year and have the luxury that is a somewhat normal Christmas. It’s more than enough to satisfy my cravings for what we’ve missed out on. I possess a gratitude this year that I will always remember, as Christmases come and go in the future.
So with it being Christmas Eve, Ho Ho Ho, here I am spreading some fabulous Christmas cheer!
Reading
How to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in different countries across Europe
I love languages, and I love learning them. Here’s an interesting array of ways to say ‘Merry Christmas’ across Europe. I’m sure there’s one for across the world out there too, if you look hard enough!
20 Christmas Traditions Around the World That May Surprise You
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one and recommend to take 5 minutes to yourself to have a read about how other countries celebrate the holiday period. It was such a lovely read, and if I didn’t need any more excuses to move to Iceland, their festive Christmas tradition is enough to make the final push. So lovely!
Watching
The Muppet Christmas Carol – Scrooge
The Muppet Christmas Carol is THE best Christmas film ever made (closely followed by The Holiday and Home Alone) and this is FACT, not opinion. Michael Caine is my favourite actor on the planet which makes it even more fantastic!
Every year around November time, I start performing renditions of this song to James, voices and all, and continue as such until Boxing Day. This is one of the best songs from any film ever, and I love it SO much. It makes me so happy just listening to it, and if, by some bizarre turn of events you have not seen A Muppet Christmas Carol, give yourself the ultimate Christmas gift this year and WATCH IT RIGHT NOW!!!
Gavin and Stacey – Smithy and GavLaa’s Festive Singalong
Is there a better, more hilarious TV series than Gavin and Stacey? I think not! There’s so many amazing moments from this series, but I love watching this one every Christmas!
Gavin and Stacey – Step into Christmas
Such a short but amazing clip of one of the best Gavin and Stacey moments in history of the show. Every time I hear the song ‘Step into Christmas’ I have images of this clip and find myself wanting to prance around like an idiot. Sooooo good!
Listening
Everybody around this time of year is arguing over the number one Christmas song ever, so fear not, I’ll put you out of your misery and tell you what it is! Stop the Cavalry is my favourite Christmas song ever, I love it so much. I’m aware that it was never intended to be a Christmas song, but more a protest song, and I love it anyway. I find it really hits home to be grateful for what I have at Christmas.
Before You Go…
As you’ll be aware, not everybody celebrates Christmas. This year, there will be people who do usually celebrate Christmas that are not doing so, and some who don’t usually celebrate it will be doing so! I absolutely LOVED this series of tweets from Mohammad Hussain about his observations from the Christmas period, being unable to travel back to his home country due to the pandemic. I loved it so much, because it speaks so much truth! Click below to go through to the thread, and enjoy!
That’s all for this week, and for 2020! Thank you for tuning in with me each week, I love seeing the range of countries across the world where my readers are joining me from, and I love hearing of your recommendations for things to read, watch and listen to. I wasn’t sure of the purpose of this series when I started it, but I love the response it gets and I appreciate every message, comment and share that I receive.
I hope you manage to experience some joy over the holiday period and enjoy precious time with loved ones where possible. I’m sending good thoughts, love and light to anybody who needs it over this period, and I wish you a healthy and happy year ahead. So Merry Christmas, or Happy Holidays, may your 2021 be filled with joy, compassion, and connection.
See you next year!
Reflect and Introspect 
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed New Year.
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Awww thank you, and you too 🙂
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