by Sam Grisdale
Our gift to you this rather dreary December day is the secret to our ULTIMATE ho-ho-hot chocolate we prep every Christmas Eve for when Father C comes to visit down our chimney.
We think our main man deserves an extra special lil’ summin summin when it comes to his hot beverage of choice during his crazy busy evening. So we turned to the one thing that brings forever love and solves *almost* all of life’s problems; <3 Nutella <3.
The most wonderful time of the year is here, however it doesn’t all always go to plan. Here’s stages of the Holidays – what we expect, and what really happens…
Pets
Expectation
The holidays with our favourite critters – what a dream!
By Zhenya Nikolova
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…unless you are a single girl with a big, nosey family. As much as we love going home for the Holidays and having a big family reunion, we dread those annoying questions we get asked every single year, I repeat every year without an exception.
Is it just me or when we were younger, having a boyfriend wasn’t a massive issue but now that we’re single in our mid 20s, that’s the most worrying aspect of our lives?
Personally, I was always told that boys should never come first, I should focus on getting a good education and building a successful career instead of always thinking about ‘boyfriends.’ Well I’ve done exactly what I was told. But NOOO!
No grandma, I am single by choice. Boys aren’t horrible to me, I simply don’t have time for that right now.
Why aren’t our personal and professional accomplishments not good enough anymore? Do I have to commit to someone to prove you that I am completely fine and happy with my life?
Sometimes it feels like our relatives have too much free time on their hands, they start worrying when in fact there is nothing they should be worried about. Because it’s not just boyfriends, it’s university, it’s working too much or not working much at all. It’s partying every weekend or not having enough social life, the list just goes on and on and on.
All these years, however, have taught me exactly how I should handle my family. And I’m sure the same methods would work with yours.
Firstly, just accept it, they mean no harm. It would actually be worrying if your family didn’t nag at you over your festive meal.
Secondly, don’t give them the answers they want, don’t agree with them even if they are right- be sarcastic.
When you get asked why you’re still single, tell them you’re too fabulous and over qualified- that will keep them quiet for a bit. When you overhear your Aunt Karen asking your mum how long it’s been since you last went on a date, come back at her with a little sass. My personal favourite, however, is announcing in front of everyone before I was even asked that David Beckham is still happily married so I am still happily single. Obviously you can replace the name David Beckham with your celebrity crush but if you want to shut them up and make them laugh, try this one out. Works every time.
Most importantly, don’t be rude or horrible. Make sure your family understands you’re joking and being sarcastic. Don’t for a second make them think they’ve upset you or you are being a cow for no reason. After all it’s the Holidays and no one wants a family reunion turning into a family fall out.
No matter how much we get nagged at and how much we complain about it, we love our families (even your cousin’s wife) and everything that comes with them.
So show a little sass, briefly update them on your relationship status or anything they want to know about and move on. Stick the festive songs on and after a few glasses of wine sing your heart out to single ladies.
Romantic expectations are always high on the lead up to the big day, but the reality of having a boyfriend isn’t always as high up the festive fun scale as you would expect.
By Jess Jepson
The most vital decision when you’re in a new relationship; to gift or not to gift? How much is too much? Because you want to show him you care and you’re totally into him, but you also don’t want to come across too keen. What if you get him one and he doesn’t bother to return the favour? What if you play it cool with a simple gift and then he pulls out all the strings and surprises you with a gift of a lifetime? You literally can. Not. Win.
Cute days spent frolicking in the snow are always high on the festive boyfriend expectations list, but when cute harmless snow ball fights actually end up with you being shoved head first into a huge pile of snow and you end the day freezing, soaking wet, disappointed and with a colder heart than the -5 temperature.
Home alone, The Holiday, Love Actually, the list goes on. The Holidays aren’t the same without binge watching all your festive favourites. However, all your cosy cuddled up festive dreams are soon crushed when he doesn’t share your passion for Holiday films and spends the whole time complaining. Literally, the WHOLE time.
Now this one brings high expectations every year, as a kid everyone dreamed of kissing their future bae under the mistletoe in a magical, unforgettable moment. But let’s be honest here, it just never happens, does it?
The most daunting part of having a boyfriend during The Holidays. Both of you want to spend it with your own families, but with each other too and you’re as stubborn as they come. You either have to spend the day apart or come to some sort of compromise.
The idea of spending your break at a cute lodge in the middle of nowhere is all rainbows and unicorns until you remember his mum’s a control freak. And you now have to spend the next 24 hours with her. With no escape.
Shopping for presents is hell as it is, let alone when you realise you have absolutely no idea what to buy your loved one. Like what do you even get boys?! I’m pretty sure you can still buy them toy cars once they’re beyond the age of 12, can you? So every year you settle for the safe option; aftershave, socks, novelty boxers and his favourite chocolates. It’s the thought that counts, right?
Months dreaming of cute evenings spent browsing the markets and sipping on mulled wine with your bae are soon crushed when you realise he just doesn’t share your love for tit bits. He feels your over analysis of the wide variety of soap flavours the stores have available is completely bonkers. Oh well, you tried! Beats going alone, right?
Once it passes 1st of December, whatever relationship you’re in; good or bad, the reality is, you’re stuck. Whether you like it or not. That’s the rule. I mean it really would make you more heartless than Chuck bass in his early days if you dumped someone during the festive season.
Don’t get us wrong, most weekends, we’re ‘out out’ and love nothing more than dressing up in our best OOTD and spending an hour perfecting our brows.
But a chilly winter’s night sometimes calls for onesies, Netflix and hot chocolate. Once you’ve had one hot chocolate you’ve had them all right? Nope!
It can’t get much better than this indulgent cocoa, blended with Oreo cookies. It’s TDF!
Here’s what you’ll need;
4 Oreos (we used chocolate, but mint is also the one)
250-300ml milk (enough to fill your mug)
3 large dessert spoons of mini marshmallows
Squirty cream
2 heaped dessert spoons of cocoa powder
Toppings of your choice
Here’s how to do it;
– Blend all your ingredients together minus your toppings, 1 Oreo cookie and your whipped cream.
– Gently heat the mixture in a pan. Be careful not to overdo it.
– ·Serve in a large mug (if only bottomless mugs were a thing!)
– Top with whipped cream, an Oreo for dipping and anything else you fancy, it’s nearly Christmas after all.
Top tips;
– Adding marshmallows creates a S’mores affect. YUM!
– · Don’t want a hot drink? Blend with ice cream instead for the perfect cookies and cream shake.
That’s your next girls’ night in sorted!
The official countdown to all things festive is on. All that glitters may be gold but your holiday sweater is your number one piece to nail. Here’s what’s dropped RN to get ahead of the game…
1. The Build Up
The invite lands in your inbox. The date is set for what is always the best night of being employed. So what if it’s weeks away? The excitement sets in, as does outfit planning. Do I dress to impress? Or try something new in a trouser suit? Hair up? Hair down? Statement lip? Or smokey eye? Thank god we’ve got time to think this all through…
2. The Panic
So what we thought was “ages away” is actually next week and I’ve approximately no outfit options. Do I dig out one from the archive or just order half of the internet? Whispers are rapid around the office about what Clare from accounts is wearing. Mild panic sets in as Lauren and Rachel have ordered the same dress. This is more stress than the big day itself.
3. The Getting Ready
You’ve got your outfit down and the night is here – that’s the hard bit over right? Oh no, getting ready. We do this everyday but the big night makes it 10x harder. Does this colour clash with my dress? Will my curls hold? Probably not. Add in a few cheeky pre-drinks, four girls around one mirror and you’ve got chaos central.
4. The Arrival
Hours and copious amounts of hairspray later, you’ve made it. Your make-up is on point, your hair is looking sassy and you feel like a million dollars. Savour the moment because it’s potentially all downhill from here. Group photos will most likely happen around about now where if you’re on the end of the gang you’ll literally be cut out come Instagram uploads – pick your spot wisely.
5. The ‘I’m going to take it slow’ Moment
We all know how this goes, start with a diet coke – pace yourself…Yep…
6. The ‘Oh why the hell not?’ Moment (About an hour later)
There’s always one person who switches up the party atmosphere by initiating shots. Chances are you’ll get dragged into it, or maybe you ARE that person. Well, we all know how this ends.
7. The Dancing
There’s three types of dancers at your office party. The ones who take it too seriously, the ones who throw their hands in the air like they just don’t care, and the people who simply don’t dance. There may also be a girl busting out the splits or maybe you and your crew have a dance routine rehearsed. Whatever your do – there will be dancing. Ladies – bring back up flats, your feet will thank you for it later.
8. The New Best Friends
Oh, hey person I’ve only made eye contact with once in the canteen queue but now we’re lifelong friends. Yep, this will inevitably happen, even more so in the ladies’ toilets where you’ll be complimenting each other’s outfits: “OMG Emma your hair looks beautiful, you’re such a great person – HOW have we not been friends before?!” Make the most of this friendship, as it may not survive past the weekend.
9. The Drama
As with any situation involving alcohol, drama often follows. Whether it’s love triangles, friendship fights or general vodka infuelled dramatics, be wary of the work drama.
10. The Fear
Ah, the fear. However with colleagues involved this gets multiplied by a thousand. Did I really kiss David from Marketing? That photo on Facebook is not a great angle and ouch, where did I get that bruise from? Oh yes, falling over three times in front of my boss – we’ll blame ‘the floor.’ And that’s before the dreaded possessions panic. Where did I put my phone? Have I got my keys? Uh oh, what are these receipts for?! Did I really buy takeout for my whole team? And why do I have 4 missed calls and 12 Whatsapps from my ex? Ahhhh the drunken text messages reminiscing about the good old days, yep that’s one bridge burned!
All this before Monday morning, depending on if you can face the fear head on and make it into work…
Gift shopping stressing you out? Sit back, relax and let us help. No matter you budget, we’ve got the perf present guaranteed to make them smile.
It’s that time of year again and if there’s a time to look fly, it’s at your Office Holiday Party. Dress to impress (yep, we went there) in smart suits, statement dresses and killer co-ords.
