Christmas is on its way!

I am sitting here listening to Christmas songs on the radio and looking out at the wintry skies. Oh baby, it’s cold outside! Isn’t that the way it should be at Christmas though?

The tree is up, Garlands and lights have been hung and the wreath is on the door. I have hung all my most special, most sentimental decorations on the tree. Decorations that I have collected every year that my family have visited me in London for the holidays (I get one for everyone who spends Christmas with me). They look so lovely and fill my heart with love and joy.

The appearance of a jolly, Victorian style Christmas abounds everywhere I look in my home. It is my favourite time of the year. It has a magical, whimsical feel to it that I have held onto since I was a child. It all starts with the lights for me. The soft twinkle, the warming glow and the belief that maybe, just maybe that glinting light might just be a Christmas fairy landing in my home to sprinkle the magic of Christmas all around.

I try to lose myself in it, to escape the present and the year we have all endured. However, matters closer to home keep pulling me out of my winter wonderland fantasy of magic and fairies.

Regrettably, mum is back in hospital. She has been there over a week now. I was home caring for her (she requires 24hr care at the moment) to give my sister a break. Unfortunately, she fell again at 4.20am in the morning getting out of bed herself without calling for help. She injured herself again with the fall. I tended to her wounds and cared for her but inevitably I had to call for the paramedics to ensure she was OK and they took her back to hospital to check her over and, once there, they decided she needed to stay in again. I was devastated, correction, I AM devastated. Not only did she fall again and end up back in hospital again, but it happened on my watch. With Christmas next week I’m not sure what is going to happen but I am trying to stay positive!

It has made me think about all those families out there this year who have friends and family members in hospital or are unwell. It’s really tough at any time of the year for families when they have a loved one who is unwell but at Christmas it always seems so much worse. To all of you who are in this situation, I am thinking of you and sending you my best wishes and hope that you can manage to find some joy in the season.

That’s what I am trying to do right now myself. I am immersing myself in Christmas music and cheer where I can to keep my spirits up and to ensure those around me can be full of good cheer as the season dictates. With that in mind, I have carried on with Christmas and gift shopping to maintain some sense of normality and Christmas cheer and it has been useful as a distraction. My only problem thus far is that I seem to be buying myself one gift for every two I am buying for friends and family. It is subconscious retail therapy I think! Lol

There have been some great pieces to be had throughout QVC of late. I have done a lot of my gift shopping on here out of sheer convenience. I can’t actually mention what I got or what those gifts are, as some of my family read this blog occasionally so that would be a bit of a disaster! I can tell you that some of the brands I have shopped with have been Emu, Carole Hochman, B&O Play, Mophie, Amazon, Bose, Vagabond, our Jewellery department, Quacker Factory, as well as a few others.

This year I had almost everything delivered directly as you can just give an alternative address when ordering, which has been perfect given everything that is going on at the moment. (BTW, we have lots of Shopping Voucher Codes to take advantage of while we are still able to order in time for Christmas. Three Easy Pay interest-free instalments anyone? Why not use ALL3EZ. Or, how about an extra 15% off, just quote SALE15 – check out our homepage on the website for more details!)

I’ve also had some really lovely shows that have inspired me with practical gift ideas, like the Nut Pecker Bird Feeding Station for the bird lovers out there or the Halo set of 2 Flex Lights with Lantern Head for the DIY lovers or the practical members of the family.

Patrick Hoy brought lots of festive cheer with his seasonal red trousers festooned with bright Christmas baubles. We had a lovely hour chatting about Quacker Factory, who have so many pieces that are perfect for the season.

Caroline MacLeod Smith and I have been working together a lot recently talking about Winter Style from right across our fashion ranges including Kim & Co and Muk Luks.

In fact, if it’s cosy gifts your looking for, Muk Luks, Cozee Home and Cuddle Duds are definitely brands to check out.

Well, the radio is now playing “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and I certainly hope my mum will be and, fingers crossed, I will be there to see her. I know there are many this year who won’t be home and if you are one of those people, you won’t be alone, as I will be thinking of you all.

Sending my warmest wishes to all of you and may you be close to those you love this season, either in person or in your hearts.

Until next time,

Miceal. X

P.S. If you fancy a laugh, why not check out our QVC Secret Santa 2020 style, with myself, Craig, Chloe and Jackie? It’s available on the homepage of the website but you can also click through to it here.