Not-So-Secret Diary

Favourite Christmas Songs

Since we know Christmas is my favourite time of year, and you all now know my top 7 movies to watch at Christmas time, why not let you in on my favourite festive music! I am that person that you hear singing Christmas songs in October.. once the supermarket shelves start filling with advent calendars and selection boxes, I am all for it! So, let’s get straight into it, my top 7 are as follows:

7 – Mistletoe by Justin Bieber

6 – All I Want for Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

5 – 8 Days of Christmas by Destiny’s Child

4 – Stop The Calvery by Jona Lewie

3 – One More Sleep by Leona Lewis

2 – Mary’s Boy Child/Oh My Lord by Boney M

1 – Fairytale of New York by The Pogues

Again, like the Christmas movies, I found myself struggling as I love all the Christmas hits, especially the classics like; Merry Christmas Everyone, Do They Know It’s Christmas and Last Christmas. I think people may be surprised that I placed Mariah Carey at number 6, but in all honesty, I do get sick of the song as I feel its the most popular Christmas songs, especially on the radio. Fairytale of New York is another hugely popular song plaid at Christmas, but, opposite to Mariah, I just cant get enough of it.. oops!

Please let me know what you’re top festive songs are and what songs you find are overrated! Also let me know when you think its acceptable for radios to start playing Christmas music, is October too early for you? What about November?

Lots of Love

L x

Favourite All-Time Christmas Movies

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Hello again and welcome back to my blog! If you don’t know, Christmas is my most favourite time of the year ever.. like I am slightly obsessed with the beautiful decorations, fairy lights and watching Christmas movies with a cup of hot chocolate. So yes, you guessed it.. I thought I would let you guys know my top 7 Christmas movies of all time.

7 – Miracle on 34th Street (1994)

Classic, feel good Christmas film. This is an easy watch for all the family on Christmas day. It isn’t my most watched but definitely love it.

6 – Bad Santa

There is just something about this film that has me in stitches. Definitely not a film for kids which I feel makes it less Christmassy but never-the-less I love watching it! I do find Thurman so bloody cute, anyone else? Haha.

5 – The Grinch

Who doesn’t love a bit of the Grinch? I certainly love him, even though he can be a bit grouchy! Another classic that had to be in my top 7!

4 – The Polar Express

I honestly wish something magical like this would’ve happened to me when I was young.. this is how this movie makes me feel. I hadn’t ever watched this, up until 2 years ago and haven’t stopped since. It’s such a quiet but fun film and would make children’s imaginations run wild.. it certainly made mine!

3 – The Holiday

A Christmas Rom-Com, name something more enjoyable? I love this film! Cameron Diaz is just something else, she definitely completes this for me! The movie is basically about 2 girls, who swap homes for the Christmas period and end up falling in love with local men. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a must!

2 – Home Alone/Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

How could I not have Home Alone in my top 3?? It’s such a classic, Christmas comedy. I had to put both Home Alone and Home Alone 2 under the same numbers, just because I can. Hahaha. I must say, these are the only two Home Alone films that I actually enjoy, the others.. not so much, sorry! Wouldn’t be Christmas without Harry and Marv.. and Kevin, of course!

1 – Elf

Obviously, my number 1 favourite film HAS to be ELF! I absoloutely love it, Will Ferrell, starring as Buddy the Elf, makes me laugh from start to finish. I could re-watch this 1000 times per day and still have it be my favourite. There is just something about this film that takes me back to my childhood and gets me so excited for Christmas!

So there you have it, my top 7 favourite Christmas films! I must say, this was difficult as there are so many films I love, such as the Santa Clause movies, Jingle all the Way and Fred Claus.

Let me know in the comment sections what your top 7 would be! Any suggestions on new Christmas movies? Let me know!

Lots of love

L x

The Most Magical Experience

On the 2nd November 2019, Chris and I visited, what I can only describe as, the most magical place in Scotland at this time of year. The Enchanted Forest. Words do not do this place justice, pictures can explain the experience but actually visiting and being amidst the sparkling lights and projecting views is indescribable.

Every year, around October/November, the Faskally Woods in Pitlochry comes to life with an immense ‘sound and light show’ called The Enchanted Forest. With a bit of research, I found out that the show has won several awards including The UK’s Best Cultural Event, Best Outdoor Festival and Scotland’s Best Large Event. It has been running for 18 years, which I was astounded by as I only discovered the show existed last year. Every year, the show has a different theme and the theme for 2019 was Cosmos.

This was our first time at the event, I booked it earlier in the year as I remembered seeing some friends pictures on social media the year before and it looked amazing, but I was unsure if it was more a kids event than adults. I discovered that this event is for everyone as, without kids, me and Chris enjoyed every minute of it.. as well as seeing lots of families with kids loving the show also.

The light and sound show is truly outstanding and like I said, words and pictures do not do it justice enough, you really have to go and experience it for yourself as it is a truly magical journey. There is food and drink available in the park, which is pricy of course as you cannot leave the woods without getting on one of the coaches provided and you can’t bring your own food and drink in, although they don’t check your bags. There are marshmallows available to buy and you can sit by one of the fires and toast them or just eat them as is.

Our tickets were £21.40 each, this includes the coach from Fishers Hotel to the Forest. What I would say is, if you are travelling, like we did.. I would leave earlier than you think as parking can be a bit of an issue, it is so busy and hard to find a space. Overall, the experience was amazing and we are thinking of going next year, although the Friday/Saturday/Sunday tickets are fully booked already.. so if you’re thinking of going, please get your tickets just now! I can’t recommend this magical experience enough.. please, if you are visiting Scotland at this time of year, do it!

Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Have you been to the show? Did you enjoy it? If you haven’t been, would you consider going? Or does anyone know of any other areas that do a similar event? I would love to know.

Lots of love

L x