Are you ready for the big day? This year we haven’t got the tree up, but it doesn’t matter, as I’m a magpie with sticks, feathers and various other woodland treasures, so our home has the outside in already.

We recently did our Christmas food shopping. Made me think about what was essential and what could we ditch as we were buying out of habit, rather than whether we really like it.

Do you have set foods you just have to buy? A traditional set menu, or do you evolve over time like we have?

We love the traditional Turkey, Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, Roast Carrots and Roasted Garlic along with Pigs in Blankets, Broccoli and Stuffing. Topped off with thick gravy!!

We don’t have a starter or even a pudding usually, as it’s far too much food. But we will pick on a Cheese Board (literally buy the crackers we like and the couple of cheeses rather than buying a cheese board) and After Eight Mints.

Over the next few days we will eat extra bits like mince pies, or Christmas cake if I buy a small one (I’m the only one who eats it)

I think this year we will go out for a walk too, take in the woodlands and go and watch the Deer out in the hills, what could be more Christmassy than that!?

A Christmas TV Book is my Number One essential, somehow it feels Christmassy to have one and circle or star all the top films and shows you don’t want to miss!! Mine is World’s Strongest Man, I avoid all the results in the summer, to ensure we watch all Christmas and find out the winner then. And my TV book starts today, so now we are finally feeling festive.