Better baking (cheat)

As mentioned a while ago, I really enjoy baking. However, my last attempt was, what you would call, an epic fail. Therefore, this time I thought it would be best to have a little help. Some might call this cheating, but considering what happened with my blueberry cupcakes, I call it smart.

I decided to make some chocolate cupcakes, courtesy of Green's Dennis the Menace Cake Mix. I've made these cakes many moons ago, and they always turned out beautifully. This time was no different.

You open the box, and twenty minutes later, you have a tray of perfectly cooked cupcakes. Just add the icing and little character motifs, and you're done. Granted, they're not the most attractive cakes in the world, but they taste wonderful. The plate of 12 were demolished almost instantly. Result.

No.5 is No.1

Chanel No. 5 is considered by most to be the world's most famous fragrance. Released in 1922, it is reported that a bottle of this world-renowned perfume is sold every thirty seconds!

For some years now, I have coveted a bottle of this celebrated scent. This Christmas I had my wish granted, with a bottle of Chanel No. 5 Eau Premiere lovingly deposited into my Christmas stocking. The packaging is simple but unmistakably Chanel, with the little white and black box just as iconic as the glass bottle itself.

And what a beautiful bottle it is. Slightly taller than the classic No. 5, but still with the distinct square shape and bottle stopper top. The fragrance within is a reinvention of the original, similar but with a fresh modern twist, making it particularly suitable for a younger market.

As with all Chanel perfumes, you can sense the quality of the scent. They are incredibly long-lasting, and only a small spritz is required to smell beautifully all day. A bottle of No. 5 may be pricey, but it sure is worth it.

A quality Christmas staple

When I first see the large tins of Quality Street piling up on supermarket shelves, I know Chrsitmas is just around the corner. For me, the Quality Street tin is a quality Christams staple that no household should be without (and we usually end up with a few!).

One of my all time favoutrite smells is that of a freshly opened tin of the famous chocolates. I'd recommend everyone to stick their nose in a brand new tin and have a good ol' sniff. They are also incredibly beautiful to look at, with their multi-coloured, iridescent wrapping. They won't stick around for long, I'm sure, so I'm stashing the Orange Cremes away from the resident chocoholic (my dad) as I speak.

Nb. Quality Street also make excellent poker chips. I see your Green Triangle and raise you two Big Purple Ones.

All the trimmings

Even though the Christmas lunch is not much more than a fancy roast dinner, I look forward to it each and every year. And it has so far never failed to disappoint me (thanks, mum!). On Christmas morning, the smell of the slow roasting turkey difts up the stairs, and I challenge you to tell me a better smell to awaken to.

Of course, the Christmas dinner would not be right without a few essential ingredients. First and foremost, the turkey, followed by the tricolour of winter veg: carrots, parsnips and brussel sprouts (yes, I actually like brussels). Then there is the stuffing (homemade, obvs), pigs in blankets, roast potatoes and gravy. However, no plate would be complete without the obligatory cranberry sauce.

As Christmas is the period of eccessive eating, the infamous lunch lasts several hours. With starter, main, dessert, cheese and coffee courses to plough our way through (as well as copious amounts of alcohol), it's no wonder we all feel the need to roll home at the end of the night.

The night before Christmas

Christmas Eve is not just my favourite day of the Christmas period, it is my favourite day of the entire year. I have an annual tradition that I go through, which consists of Carols from Kings complete with just lit alter candles, a Chinese takeaway from the restaurant down the road, and a snuggle on the sofa with the classic Christmas film: The Nightmare Before Christmas (more of a cult classic, I admit).

It's amazing how even though some things change, others remain steadily constant. When I was younger I loved Christmas Eve solely because of the presents. Waiting for Santa to arrive and deliver my goodies was the most exciting feeling. Now, however, the excitement and anticipation still grows, but for a different reason: relaxing with family over a turkey dinner and the inevitable Doctor Who Christmas special.