Snow and things...

Snow has finally arrived in London. Thank god. Don't get me wrong, I am not a snow person usually, but between thanksgiving and New Years Eve, there just has to be a thin blanket of snow. That's just how it is. Snow and Christmas go together like pickles and cheese, wine and sex and the city, Gin and Tonic. They need each other. So what else does Christmas need in order to be Christmas? Well here you go:

10. Trains. My Dad used to be the sort of kid that got a train set every Christmas. Then he saw his pretty neighbor changing in the window and got over the whole "train thing." 40 years later, he rediscovered trains. Now every Christmas he sets up his little Christmas village, fake snow, tiny figurines, little trees and all, and plays with it every night until December 24th. Literally every night. If I'm home, between the hours of 9-11pm I hear the train making it's run around the dining room table and then I hear that damn whistle blowing. It just wouldn't be Christmas without that damn whistle.

9. Getting trampled to death at the mall. I know online shopping is easier, I know that if I was smart I'd get all my shopping done before thanksgiving, but I just need the ritual of being pushed and prodded by strangers like capitalistic cattle. God I love the mall mosh-pit. Something about falling to the ground and spilling all your presents everywhere just screams Christmas.

8. Christmas music. I covered this in a previous post but it is so important I have to say it again and again. Christmas music is essential to both my happiness and my holiday season. I'm also adding Christmas movies to this category too. Love Actually, About a Boy, Elf, Home Alone 1&2, Bridget Jones...These are Christmas.

7. Red wine. Well, this is a recent addition since I didn't drink for a majority of my life. That being said, it wouldn't be Christmas without red wine. It makes everyone feel all warm and cozy. Nothing in the world is better than a fireplace and red wine. I actually challenge anyone to find anything better. Besides, eggnog is disgusting.

6. Hershey kisses. I love chocolate, but I really love chocolate during the holidays. I never eat hershey kisses though unless they are wrapped in red, silver, and green, all dressed up for Christmas. I will eat the entire bag and not regret a second of it.

5. Candy canes. This one is obvious, but the only flavors that are acceptable are peppermint (obviously) and cinnamon. You can have your fruit punch, and lemon flavored canes, they're of no use to me.

4. Advent calendars. 25 days, who can keep track? You need some sort of countdown system, well that's where advent calendars come in, and don't be cheap or boring, you better get the ones with chocolates inside.

3. Chicken wings, pizza, and chinese food. Like I've said before, my family has this really weird white trash streak, the source of which remains completely unknown. We don't do the big roast dinner, with turkey and all the trimmings and I am so thankful for that. We do a buffet. Instead of pretending we want another Thanksgiving, we just buy all of our favorite foods and go at. Thats right, pizza, chicken wings, chowder, shrimp, bread, and cookies. Now that's what I call a feast.

2. Practical gifts. I mean I love the sweaters, the purse I wanted, the camera. These are all well and good and I really do love them. But the things I really look for are my new mascara, new socks, whitestrips, gift certificate to Barnes and Noble and my new toothbrush. I get them every year and they are always my favorite.

1. Twinkle lights. Who doesn't love twinkle lights?! They make everything look like magic, except the shitty, big, multicolored ones, well and the blue Jewish ones.

Honorable mention: Christmas trees, mall Santa, wrapping paper, days-off, sledding.