10 Bloggers Share Their Favourite Part of the Holidays

Christmas is easily my favourite time of year. The weather is cooler, everyone seems cheerier and the pace of life and work slows down. Good luck trying to do business in Jamaica during December. Friends and families get together, decorations and ‘pepper lights’ go up, and my favourite foods and drinks like Christmas cake and sorrel are abundant. I love that Christianity isn’t the only religious festival at this time of year too, as Jews celebrate Hanukkah a few days before Christmas, and Kwanzaa is also a special time of year for African-Americans.

I know I couldn’t be the only one who loves this time of year, and I’m aware that the reasons why the holidays are special may vary from person to person. The festive season also looks different in different parts of the world, so I took to asking some of my favourite bloggers what’s their favourite part of the holidays. Here’s what they had to say.

Bloggers Share Their Favourite Part of the Holidays

1. “Being from Trinidad, I’m lucky to be a part of a culture that’s very unique when it comes to Christmas. There are so many things I could talk about that I love about Christmas in Trinidad and Tobago but because I’m so sentimental, my favourite part is probably similar to so many other people. It’s Christmas Eve and the ham is in the oven, I’m prepping the large menu for the upcoming big day but what’s always so annoying about my family is that we are extremely last minute. I’m always cleaning the house, the NIGHT of Christmas Eve. Always. Even though I hate having to come off a flight to then have to clean an entire house, it’s my favourite part because of how beautiful the house looks afterwards. It’s like at midnight the house is filled with a Christmas spirit. I always go to sleep happier than I do waking up on Christmas Eve.”

–Ariyo from Fashionably Late 🇹🇹 shares tips and tricks to help us ladies look our best, and sometimes drops advice for the gents.

2. “I realize my favourite part of the holiday season changes as time goes on. Of course family bonding and home-cooked feasts rank highly on most lists (mine included), but in recent years I’ve had a growing appreciation for the ‘holiday spirit’.My favourite part of the Christmas season now is its cheer – colourful lights and decor strung around buildings, adults and children decked in festive outfits, volunteerism and get-togethers at a high. However as many become older they also become more jaded; I’m sure we’ve all heard the notion “Christmas is for the kids” quite a few times. Holiday cheer unfortunately seems to reduce with each passing year, witnessing it now always warms my heart.”

– Jhunelle from Simplylocal.life 🇯🇲 is a fellow Jamaican travel blogger, and you can always count on her blog for discounts and sound travel advice.

3. “My favorite part of Christmas is all the waiting and anticipation. I love counting down to Christmas– the anxious waiting and longing for Christmas to come is something that I still feel as an adult. But now, instead of waiting to open my own presents, I wait to see the look on my daughter’s face when she opens hers. Giving to others really is the best gift!”

– Corrie from Girl and Tonic 🇺🇸 simplifies cocktail-making at home for beginners, and shares lovely recipes and gorgeous drinks on Instagram. Remember this article on making cocktails from home 101? That was her guest post on my site, and she’s the reason my blog has its own signature cocktail. 🤗

4. “Is it cheating to say that my favourite part of Christmas depends on where I am at the time? Oh, well! I really appreciate the things unique to different countries or regions. In Europe, I love how the towns and cities go all in on decorating the streets with Christmas lights and all the Christmas markets. I loved caroling in the square in New Orleans. Hundreds of people gather together to sing carols together. And when I’m home in Jamaica, it’s baking and savouring every single slice of Christmas cake with my mother. However, if I really had to put it all into one thing, I’d say my favourite thing about Christmas is the energy in the air that leads to all these traditions around the world.”

– Juleen from Juleen Meets World 🇯🇲 has an insatiable love for travel, Carnival and wine, and can be found giving us the best wine recommendations on Wednesdays.

5. “The weather and the fact that everyone has time off so we can do group activities. People coming home from abroad and family having time off from work. Bonus points because it’s breadfruit season.”

– Mia from The Tea File 🇯🇲 loves tea and takes us on regular journeys around the world exploring how teas and tisanes are closely interwoven into various cultures. She’s mostly active on Instagram.

6. “My favourite part of the holidays is the cooler weather for sure. I naturally get in a better mood this time of year. I usually buy myself nice things as well so that’s great. And of course how could I forget about the food and drinks. I still love Christmas cake and sorrel.”

– Trevann from Goody on a Budget 🇯🇲 gives refreshing financial, lifestyle and mental health advice from a local perspective.

7. “It has to be the whole magic of Christmas! The minty marshmallowy hot chocolate while watching ridiculously cliched old and new Hallmark movies and being warm and snuggled. It’s the Christmas carols and the feeling of good cheer. It’s the sparkle of decorations on a tree and how most places are decorated to herald in the season of Ho Ho Hos.”

– Vanessa from Pink Peachhh 🇯🇲 is a lifestyle blogger who loves a good daytrip and has a creative eye. She documents her culinary escapades on What’s New On the Menu.

8. “Truth be told I love the Christmas season. In fact I watch Christmas movies pretty much year round because they make me feel good ☺️. But my absolute favourite part of the holidays is that feeling of togetherness with my family and friends. People just tend to be more warm and helpful and I absolutely love it. It makes me feel like there’s hope for a better future yet.”

– Ornella from As Told by Nella 🇯🇲 is a fellow medical doctor and creative who makes time for frequent trips, and shares reviews, lifestyle and beauty advice. Her latest project: YouTube!

9. “I think my favourite part of Christmas is being together with friends, family and loved ones. Everyone is available (well except those who choose to travel) and in Lagos, they’re a number of buzzing happenings. Comedy events, beach parties, and music shows from favourite Nigerian artists are usually up and about and although I’ve never been much of an outdoor person during the festivities, I’ve had undiluted fun the few times I attended parties, stage plays or caught up with old friends. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and with the Coronavirus, 2020 is most definitely looking different but, fingers crossed we get our groove back next year. A Merry Christmas to you!”

– Eromonsele from Erico Trips 🇳🇬 is an avid travel enthusiast, proud Google Local Guide and casual YouTuber. A true patriot, you can learn a lot about Nigeria through his blog.

10. “Well, to be honest the holiday period is when I am almost always at home. I have spent 3 Christmases overseas in my life, but generally I work travel in such a way that I am always home. So it’s about my family tradition I guess, a quiet Christmas dinner on Christmas day, usually for lunch. Turkey, pudding, cake – always the same meal which mum has cooked every year that I’ve been alive, and it never disappoints! Used to see more of the wider family on Boxing Day, but everyone is older now and the meet up sadly doesn’t happen. This year for only the second time I am working on Christmas Day, but just the morning. So I guess for me I enjoy Christmas and ‘the holidays’ but generally am at home and working. I work with people with disabilities, so it’s really important to me that they have a great time during the holidays. And also, it’s summer here so it’s always HOT at Christmas! Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!”

– Andrew from Andy’s World Journeys 🇦🇺 is a seasoned traveller with decades of experience across six continents and living overseas. He shares his adventures and advice with a bit of Aussie hunour.

Wrap Up

I love the commonalities everyone expressed in what makes Christmas special to them– food, family, joy, decorations, service. Now it’s your turn. What’s your favourite part of the festive season? I hope you’ve been enjoying Blogmas so far. Make sure to utilize the discounts posted on my Instagram page as my Christmas present to you, and if you haven’t already entered my giveaway, now is the time. We’re announcing a winner soon!

‘Til next time, ✌🏽.

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