Finally, advent has begun, and children adults will wake in delight to open their advent calendars. My partner has a lego calendar, 25 days of master building for him, it’s become a bit of a tradition. My Dad has an assortment of tools in his advent calendar, thanks to my lovely sister whom I miss terribly (almost a year since we saw her in person) thank goodness for video calls. My Mam has a luxury chocolate calendar, I know where I get my sweet tooth and I am only an encouragement as we bought her it. My siblings and families have similar chocolate calendars we sent; I think my Mam’s feeder status is rubbing off on me. I definitely have developed her love of Christmas, spreading joy, gifts and chocolate!

We have been getting into the Christmas spirit all last weekend. It all started by playing Santa’s elves door dropping advent calendars to our lovely Scouts. So, when the first day of December arrives, we were all enjoying the countdown to Christmas in chocolate.

During our Scout night this week, Christmas questions are in the air and one emerging theme: how long have your decorations been up? Two and a half weeks was the winner. While in my own home, Christmas is yet to land.

However, the weekend after a much-needed spring winter clean, it’s decorating time. Hot chocolate, marshmallows and cream finish off our Saturday and help with the start to creating Santa’s grotto.

By Sunday, the warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas has found me. I would say I felt like the Grinch. However, I love Christmas and much like the saying from a Christmas Carol, I do hold Christmas in my heart all year round.

The Christmas spirit is definitely in the air. As the news this week brings hope that this pandemic is nearing its finale. Hope fills the air, with the news of a vaccine that will start being rolled out in the coming weeks in care homes and hospitals.