5 festive things I've done in December

I'm usually a bit of a scrooge at Christmas. I blame the working in retail and hospitality for eight years - it drained every ounce of festive spirit I once had. But this year I am LOVING December. It helps that so much has happened already this month. Have a read at why I'm basically Father Christmas this year.

1. Christmas lights in London
Every year I absolutely adore seeing the Christmas lights in the city. There's just something about walking down a manic Oxford Street, bundled up in a scarf and gloves in the pitch black staring at the twinkling lights above. This year, as always, a personal highlight were the Carnaby Street - they are incredible. Always unique each year and so bright and colourful. This year seems like they followed a slight Japanese theme and the bright pink disco balls are delightfully tacky. As every good Christmas decoration should be.

2. Early Christmas dinners
Back in November, AO.com very kindly gave me my first Christmas themed dinner of the year alongside GBBO Flora Snedden to help up create our own canapés. We had an absolutely delicious three course meal consisting with the most incredible meringues for dessert. The table had the perfect festive theme and was a fantastic way to see in the holiday season. At the weekend I went out with my friends for our annual Christmas dinner gathering so it was lots of turkey and prosecco for me! I can never have too many mince pies or pigs in blankets at this time of year!

3. Christmas with Thorntons
One of the best things about Christmas is the abundance of chocolate that appears and tends to last until February. If you're stuck for ideas this year for some stocking fillers or last minute gifts, try the Thorntons Gift Finder. Fill out a few questions and voila you'll have so many ideas for that special person and you'll be in their good books all year round. Perfect!

4. Christmas Flowers
Blossoming Gifts got in touch and asked if I fancied an early Christmas present. Who could resist an offer like that? I absolutely love fresh flowers in the house and fancied something with a festive theme. If you can't go all out at Christmas, then when can you?! I struck gold with this pretty Cinnamon Spice bouquet. Featuring gorgeous smelling cinnamon sticks, perfectly festive berries and stunning grand prixred roses mixed together in a bunch, they have cheered up my bedroom in these gloomy days. When it comes to dark nights, you need all the help you can get! And they match our Christmas tree this year so winners all round. Nothing quite like waking up to a beautiful floral scent every morning. I always find their bouquets last well over a week too so they're well worth the money. If cinnamon isn't your thing, there's plenty of other bouquets to choose from that feel just as festive. Red always looks so classy during the festive season.

Fancy your own bunch? Enter BGIFTS33 at the check out to get a special 33% discount off all flowers apart from Flowers By Post. Go on, treat yourself! Next day delivery is until 23rd December so you have plenty of time to treat someone or yourself to something special.

5. Festive baking
I've been really enjoying getting my bake on this month. My December hasn't been as busy as it normally is - maybe I'm losing friends - so it's meant I could really get stuck into being in kitchen. So far I've rustled up some sticky toffee puddings and some mince pie cupcakes with lots more on the horizon! I've got a delicious new fudge recipe on my Youtube channel too. It makes perfect stocking fillers.