The Kind List: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Red lipstick, more cactus leather, and my new favourite cookbook
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Or rather, here in the UK it’s the darkest and most humid time of the year. So lots of mould cleaning (lovely) and hot water bottle action in this corner of the world. But also: decorating! Festive baking! Freaking out about fitting my family’s little presents into my tiny carry-on! All the good stuff.
Important things first: Christmas trees. Where do you stand on live tree vs plastic tree? I’m team plastic tree - just because I cannot stand the idea of cutting down a real, live thing just for us to keep in our lounge for three weeks then throw it out (or, you know, “responsibly dispose” of it). I know plastic trees aren’t exactly best friends of the environment, but we’ve had ours for years and it’s here to stay. Pros: no needles all over the flat. Cons: no pine smell!
Like many immigrants (yep, I’m an immigrant, not an “expat”), I won’t be going home for Christmas - thank you airlines for the lovely end-of-year price hikes that are keeping us all miles away from our mothers’ home-cooked festive meals. I’ll be dashing off to Sweden for a quick early-December trip to celebrate my mum’s birthday, my sister’s pregnancy, my other sister moving to China, and my promotion! That’s right, all the celebrations. But when the holidays arrive, I’ll be back home in Brighton, cuddling up on the sofa with our fake Christmas tree and ALL the fairy lights, watching Christmas movies with my husband.
Our top three Christmas must-watch favourites:
Love Actually. I don’t care how “problematic” it is. It’s a Christmas masterpiece (am I becoming that ancient aunt who defends really problematic movies?).
Elf. I will never not laugh at “Santaaaaaa! Oh my gaaaawwd!!” Plus, can Zooey Deschanel sing more, in general? Please?
The Holiday. It’s not Christmas until Jude Law and Cameron Diaz drink hot chocolate with the only two children characters that have ever made me question my childfree status.
And for some extra Christmas spirit, here’s a really lovely vegan recipe for Swedish saffron buns, which I’ll be making and eating tons of.