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There’s something magical about this time of year. We haven’t even reached Christmas Day yet, but you can feel it in the air – that mix of excitement, nostalgia, and pure festive chaos.

The office parties start first.

Suddenly, the people you normally only talk spreadsheets and deadlines with are in Christmas jumpers, passing round sausage rolls and terrible cracker jokes. For a few hours we all relax a bit, laugh a bit louder, and remember that behind the job titles, we’re just people trying to enjoy ourselves and make it to the Christmas break in one piece.

Then there’s the gift hunting.

Lists get written, rewritten, and then completely ignored when you spot something “perfect” on a shelf and think, Yep, that’s them. There’s real joy in choosing presents for the people we love – partners, kids, grandkids, parents, friends. It’s not really about how much we spend, but about knowing someone well enough to find something that’ll make them smile.

(And yes, I’ll admit it… I’ve already eaten more than my fair share of mince pies and it’s not even Christmas week yet. No regrets. 😅)

One of the things I love most about this season is how different traditions are around the world.

I recently learned that in Japan, Christmas Day is often celebrated with… fried chicken! Thanks to a clever KFC advertising campaign in the 1970s, it became a huge thing, and now it’s tradition for families to order a big bucket of chicken for Christmas. No turkey, no pigs in blankets – just crispy fried chicken and a lot of happy faces. I absolutely love that. It’s a reminder that Christmas isn’t about doing it “the right way”, it’s about doing it your way.

For many of us, Christmas Day itself is all about the classics:

A proper roast dinner with all the trimmings Crackers and paper crowns that never quite fit The rustle of wrapping paper and the genuine “You shouldn’t have!” moments Decorations that have been in the family for years, each one holding a little story

But beyond the food and the presents, there’s something else that really stands out at this time of year: people just seem… kinder.

Strangers say “Merry Christmas” in the street. Workmates check in on each other. Friends and family make that extra bit of effort to meet up, phone, message, or send a card. For a few weeks, life feels a little softer around the edges. And that, more than anything, brings joy to my heart.

As we build up to Christmas Day, I’m trying to savour these little moments:

The lights in the windows.

The smell of mince pies.

The terrible Christmas songs we all secretly love.

And the chance to spend time with the people who matter.

However you celebrate 🥳 whether it’s turkey and crackers, or fried chicken in front of the telly 📺 I hope this festive season brings you warmth, laughter, and time with those you love. ❤️

What are your Christmas traditions?

Do you have any quirky family habits, secret recipes, or unusual ways of celebrating? I’d love to hear them – drop a comment and share a bit of your festive world.

Merry Christmas 🎄 everyone

Ryan x