Top Ten Thursday - Christmas dos and don'ts

This week's Top Ten that has been set by Tamara at the blog Part-time Working Hockey Mom is the dos and don'ts that are part of your Christmas.

1. Do watch Movies. Christmas isn't Christmas without watching my top five movies and just in case they aren't on tv I have them on DVD. My top five are; Scrooged, Miracle on 34th Street (the modern version), The Grinch (the Jim Carey one), Home Alone, and Love Actually.

One of the most romantic scenes from Love Actually.

2. Don't listen to tv ads. This time of year the adverts on tv can put a lot of pressure on people to try and have the perfect meal, the perfect decorations, the perfect presents, etc. Instead, have a Christmas that is as individual as you are and spend time with people that you love.

3. Do eat mince pies. It's a weird thing, I'm not the biggest fan of mince pies (fruit mince, not meat) as I find the pastry a bit stodgy, but at this time of the year it's the done thing and it makes it feel like Christmas. I really like puff pastry mince pies, but not many places sell these.

4. Don't endanger your pets. At Christmas time there are lots of things around that can be dangerous to inquisitive pets from tinsel on trees to fruit and nuts being dropped on the floor. Be aware of what's bad for them and keep it away from scrounging furbies. Click Here to see a list of things that pets can and can't eat at Christmas.

5. Do buy your pets a present. As important members of the family we always get the brats something. Don't tell her, but I've bought Princess Cookie Cat a huge tub of her favourite chicken treats.

6. Don't forget to recycle. There is always excess paper, cans, and plastics at this time of the year so please make sure that you recycle and help look after the planet.

7. Do make traditional Christmas pudding. Every year I make a Christmas pudding to mum's recipe which includes boiling it in a cloth for four hours - the kitchen ends up feeling like a sauna. It always looks a bit deformed as I've never mastered the art of taking it out of the cloth neatly.

8. Don't overindulge too much. Indulge but within reason. Christmas isn't about eating until you feel sick or drinking yourself into oblivion, but unfortunately too many people use it as an excuse to do just that.

9. Do remember others less fortunate. Give food to your local food bank, give treats to the local animal shelter, or even give warm coats to your local homeless charity.

10. Do pose with a santa hat on.

What do you think, do you have lots of dos and don'ts that are a necessary part of your Christmas? Before you go, make sure you hop over to Tamara's Blog and see what my fellow bloggers have come up with for their top ten.

Until next time, be good, stay safe, and remember it's only eleven more sleeps until Santa Clause comes.

Pamela & Ken
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