Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..

Happy 1st of December!

It is now officially the month of Christmas and it is definitely time to start buying presents and drinking hot mulled wine. For a student, Christmas really falls at a bad time of year as everyone is trying to survive of the last few pounds from Septembers loan and is on the hunt for that annoying part-time job at a clothes shop that you really do not want to be doing. This is the situation that I usually end up in, and being an avid present buyer, I find it impossible not to buy my family each a variety of presents for them to open (and pretend they LOVE) on Christmas morning.

Of course, in an ideal world, I would buy everyone everything that they wanted, but I have a feeling that most of those presents would be used once and then it would sit at the back of the cupboard for the rest of the year. I find that there is more pleasure in giving them something that contains a bit of thought rather than something from there endless Christmas list..after all it is all about the quality not the quantity folks. Here is a list of things that I reckon make small but perfectly formed pressies:

• A bottle of spirit (Dads favourite whiskey or something your Mum likes to mix with tonic)
• Over sized chocolate bar (so they feel like they are unwrapping something BIG and exciting)
• Download and album and put in on a CD (who needs the real deal?)
• A mug that says something stupid ('Yummy Mummy' etc.)
• Nice smelling bath soap (just in case they didn't get enough from the Grandparents)
• A poster (Edward from Twilight? Harry from the Potter? Whom ever takes your fancy)

The list is endless..all you need is a few pounds, festive thoughts and a few ideas to send you on your way. People often appreciate gifts more when you actually take the time to think about the presents rather than just splash the cash. A trick that I learnt from my mother is to start listening to people from November onwards, and pick up on little bits and bobs that they mention they might need or want. So when it comes to Christmas morning they will a) realise you do actually listen to them and b) think that you put some thought into the present.

Its the little things that count..remember its only 24 shopping days left until Christmas so get a move on!

Au revoir

Lucy X