Happy December, one and all!
I can’t quite believe how fast this year has zipped along, but here we are! It’s truly my favourite time of the year and with that comes fairy lights, tree decorations and gifts to wrap. Thankfully, I’ve got just the remedy to aid you in your festive tasks!
Before we get into my final three picks of 2024, I just wanted to share with you my completed gift for my Mom! I’m so pleased with how it’s turned out and, if you’ve been keeping up with the blog, I’ve had this on the hoop now for a few months.
As I’ve been sharing my WIP photos, it only felt right to share the final product with you all, too! I’m currently beavering away on a couple of other pieces, but I’ll keep those to myself for now. I’m still so shocked that the whole design only uses 13 colours, as the depth of these rich tones really are stunning. Many thanks to Antique Stitch for creating such a beautiful pattern.
With that complete and another secret project on the Nurge hoop (I’m obsessed), I’ve started the Holly Jolly Kitchen SAL from Caterpillar Cross Stitch. I’m very late to the party, but I’m here now! I’ve changed a fair few of the colours, just through preference, and am excited to see how it turns out. Fingers crossed I’ll get it done before Christmas!
With all these festive makes for gifts or myself, my earphones have been more relied on than usual. As someone who’s obsessed with Christmas, it was only right to have some audio delights that would run parallel with my favourite season. Here’s what’s been keeping me in good company whilst I work on my WIPs. As always, please be aware that some of these picks may contain adult language and/or sensitive topics.
📖 Audiobook – The Christmas Tree Farm – Laurie Gilmore
Kira North has just purchased a Christmas tree farm, yet the main issue is she hates the holiday. Although she’s up for the challenge of running it, the maintenance, heating and numerous other issues prove she may have bitten off more than she can chew.
Cue Bennett Ellis. He’s headed to Dream Harbor for a break from California and his dismal dating life. Yet after him and his dogs technically trespass in Kira’s fields, he steps away from their first meet intrigued – and it’s not the Douglas Fir’s that have piqued his interest.
Mixing a healthy sprinkle of spice into the makings of a twee Hallmark Christmas movie, The Christmas Tree Farm certainly brings the festive feel-good. Perfect for a day’s crafting and a cuppa every couple of Granny Squares!
Plus, if you’ve already read it, it certainly lives up to its dedication – IYKYK.
🎙Podcast – The Calm Christmas Podcast – Beth Kempton
I’ve completed a number of Beth Kempton’s online writing sanctuary and am quite the fan of her books. Since 2020, Beth’s taken us on a serene journey from November through to mid-January with tips on how to invite calmness into our homes during the festive period.
Alongside her own, Beth offers thought-provoking pieces of writing from some of her favourite authors. She also discusses grief, joy and the magic of Christmastime.
The Calm Christmas Podcast encourages you to slow down and realign at this hectic time of year. I’d highly recommend heading back into previous years’ shows, but you really can just head into 2024’s if that suits you more.
💿 Album – This Is Christmas – Luther Vandross
Lovingly dubbed as ‘The King of Christmas’ in our house, ‘This Is Christmas’ by Luther Vandross is THE best Christmas album of all time. The only other that could take the title is ‘The Classic Christmas Album’, the 2012 re-release with extra tracks, also by the man himself.
From the middle of November (yes, you heard me), Luther’s festive masterpiece sits firmly on our turntable, only to be spun most days. With his signature silky vocals, ‘This Is Christmas’ features both original music and cover tracks.
I could wax lyrical until at least New Year’s Day about this album’s sheer brilliance, but my standout tracks would have to be ‘A Kiss For Christmas’, the fabulously re-imagined ‘My Favourite Things’ from The Sound of Music, and ‘The Mistletoe Jam (Everybody Kiss Somebody)’.
Every track just feels so, so smooth and, to me, I couldn’t ‘complete’ Christmas without it. His rendition of ‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’ is criminally underplayed, so please, get the tree lights on and the candles lit, grab yourself a drink, hit play and enjoy.
Well, that officially rounds out Vic’s Picks for 2024! Thank you all so much for coming back each month; I truly hope you’ve enjoyed my choices for you throughout the year. Make sure to come back in January for fresh audio delights!
However you wish to celebrate, I hope you have a happy new year and prosperous 2025 ahead!
See you next year! 🎆