Blogmas Day 15: DIY Gift for your Partner

Whilst looking through Pinterest I came across this cute DIY 'I love you to the moon and back gift' and so I thought I would do a post about how to make one. I have made mine for my boyfriend and think I will just put it in the envelope with his Christmas card.

What you need:

• Piece of A4 white paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Biro pen
• Coloured pencils

Instructions:

1) First cut out two circles from your piece of paper and a thin strip. You can make this gift any size you want so the size of the circles and strip is up to you but I would recommend that the strip is at least 1.5cm wide so that you are able to write on it.

2) Using coloured pencils colour in one of the circles with a world design and on the other draw craters to mimic the moon. Then Write 'I love you' in pen over the top of the world design and write 'to the moon and back' along the strip but leaving a space at either end of the paper.

3) Fold the strip of paper in a Z style zig-zag fold. Then glue the first end of the strip to the back of the world design in the centre, then do the same to the front of the moon design paper. 

Gift from the front

4) Ta dah! Give your partner a personal- homemade gift.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 14: Christmas Shopping Trip

Today my mum came to visit from home and so we had a Christmassy day out together. As soon as she got here we went for a drink at Starbucks. And in true Christmas style I had a Salted- Caramel latte from the Christmas menu.

After that we had a walk around the Christmas market (my 1382064 trip this year) however because it was a weekday it was much quieter and so didn't take us very long. Then we went to refuel at Wahaca for tacos and enchiladas, Yum!

We also went for a walk around Harvey Nichols because it's nice to look at the Christmas decorations and all the expensive clothes and accessories and this time of year (needless to say we didn't buy anything). We then did some Christmas shopping and I got the last of my Christmas presents, WOO! My mum also treated me to a Christmas outfit which isn't what it sounds like... basically every year I get a nice outfit to wear when I'm going out and to parties over the Christmas period, the outfit itself isn't Christmassy!

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 13: DIY Wrapping Paper Gift Bag

Maybe it's just me but I think gift bags are ridiculously overpriced, they are so expensive! So this blog post shows you how to make Christmas gift bags out of wrapping paper.

What you will need:

• Wrapping paper (I am using my flatmates which she bought in Primark)
• Ribbon (I bought mine in a pack for £1 from The Works)
• Scissors
• Hole Punch
• Sellotape

1) Cut a piece of wrapping paper that is roughly twice as tall and three times as wide as the present which you would like to put inside. Then fold the wrapping paper in half (like shown) and stick in place with sellotape. 

2) Then fold the bottom section of the wrapping paper upwards, this will be the bottom of the bag and should be about two times wider than you would like the base. Fold the front sheet down and press down the corners to form a diamond shape 

3) Fold the top and bottom half of the diamond down so that they meet in the middle, leaving no gaps and seal in place with sellotape.

4) Open the bag from the top and push the base downwards so that it now resembles a bag structure, if the base will not stay down you may need to place card inside to keep the shape however I do not usually find this necessary.

5) Fold over the top of the bag, towards the side which you sealed with sellotape as this will be the back. Then whilst folded hole punch two holes in the top of the bag. Wrap your presents and place them, and a card inside and tie the bag with ribbon (through the holes punched). 

6) Give to the lucky recipient! 

Christmas Wishes

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 12: Festive Activities to do with Friends

The Christmas period is all about spending time with friends and family but with the cold weather it can be difficult finding things to do with friends without spending a fortune. Here are just a few suggestions for fun activities to do with friends during the festive season:

1) Have a hot chocolate date! One of the best things about the cold weather is drinking hot chocolate so I always find it's really nice to get a friend over and have hot chocolate together and some tasty snacks. This is a really cute festive way to see your friends without spending any money at all.

2) Visit a Christmas market! It's always fun to wander round a Christmas market and have a browse at the stalls and maybe do a spot of Christmas shopping. If you want something that will put you in a festive mood then the atmosphere at a Christmas market and the cold air certainly will, plus it doesn't cost a penny (apart from anything you buy).

3) Do a Christmas craft! This is another really fun activity that you can do from home. Last week I invited a friend over and we made paperchains together and ate Christmas biscuits, it was so much fun and a great way to decorate our flat too.

4) Go for a walk to see Christmas lights! Going for walks is one of my favourite things to do when it's cold, for me it just brings back so many childhood memories. I especially love going at night and seeing all the Christmas lights. I actually did this tonight with a friend who I am not going to see again until New Year (and I even remembered her Christmas present) but it was such a nice thing to do together and great to have a catch-up.

5) Grab some lunch! I know that this technically isn't festive or free but getting lunch with friends is a lovely thing to do all year round. I went for lunch with a friend after an exam as it's a great way to relax. We found somewhere that wasn't too expensive and shared the biggest nachos ever! Plus most places are beautifully decorated with Christmas decorations so it's still kind of festive.

Blogmas Day 11: Diy Christmas Book

It's Christmas in 2 weeks, Blogmas is flying by!! This is the first time I have spent the run up to Christmas in a big city and so I wanted to have a way to keep track of all the festive activities I plan on doing before I head home for the holidays...

Firstly making this Christmas book was a really fun Christmassy activity. In order to make the basis of the book I followed a Youtube tutorial. I used a piece of A3 white card to make the structure of my book and each page measures 10cm x 8cm. To decorate the book I headed to Poundland and bought a three pack of Christmas washi tape and also some festive stickers which I use to fill in blank spaces throughout the book (I will also be using these for inside Christmas cards). For the front cover I simply drew a fancy Christmas tree with red and green gel pens.


There are so many different ways that you could use a Christmas book but here are a few of the ways I am using mine (mainly for lists). To keep track of Christmas present spending and also what I have bought for different people plus Christmas card lists and of course your Christmas list. I also use mine to keep track of different places I want to go Christmas shopping, Christmas activities, Christmas crafts and baking. It's also useful in helping get organised for the big day itself and can be used for to-do lists, Christmas food shop lists and also to keep track of wrapping so it doesn't all have to be done on Christmas eve!

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 10: A Lithuanian Christmas

Before I came to university and met people from all over the world I didn't realise that Christmas is celebrated in different ways in different countries. However my Lithuanian flatmate was telling me all about how she celebrates Christmas in Lithuania and I thought it would make a really interesting Blogmas post. This post is based upon what she told me and how my flatmate celebrates Christmas, this may not be the same for all Lithuanian's.

Picture's of some of the most
common herring dishes that
 my flatmate found online.

In Lithuania the main Christmas festivities take place on Christmas eve (a very strange concept for me as a Brit). Most of Christmas eve is spent cooking for the evening meal and this is also when the Christmas tree is put up. Then in the evening there is a big Christmas meal where twelve dishes are served including around three herring (type of fish) dishes which are the most important. There are no traditional herring dishes that must be eaten however, you are able to chose which you would like to cook. After the meal Santa Claus knocks on the door and delivers the presents (how cool is that?!?) although my flatmate admits that this tradition is mainly for younger children. She also said that many Lithuanian's are now adopting the British tradition of putting their Christmas presents under the tree instead. And so all of the Christmas presents are opened on Christmas eve. This is also when you go to church although this can happen on Christmas day instead. Christmas day itself is mainly reserved for seeing extended family including grandparents, aunties and uncles etc and exchanging gifts with them. My flatmate's family have also started seeing close friends on the evening of Christmas too.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation 

Blogmas Day 9: Christmas gift ideas for friends

Another slightly late Blogmas post, sorryyy! I have the first of my university exams on Monday so I'm getting a bit stressed and quite busy, hence why I'm not always managing to post on time. Anyway this is going to be a little gift guide for present ideas for friends. I always find it really difficult buying presents for my friends as we usually don't spend too much money and just get token gifts, so it can be difficult finding nice items within my budget.

I often find beauty products are safe Christmas presents for friends as I know that it is something that they will use. My first gift is some Barry M Fine Glitter Dust in Silver from Superdrug. This is something that my flatmate has put on myself and my friend before a night out and we both loved it. I know that my friend will wear it out clubbing but it's something that she probably wouldn't buy for herself. Another beauty gift is the Barry M Christmas Nail Paint Duo which I spoke about in a previous Blogmas Post. Nail varnish is always a lovely gift as it's something most of my friends use but (especially since coming to uni) is something that they probably can't justify buying for themselves.

Away from beauty, this year I was really unsure what to get another of my friends... So in the end I got her a pack of really nice pants, yes pants! I'm aware that this may seem a strange gift but my friend wears really old Christmas pants all year round because she feels she doesn't want to spend her money on underwear. So I got her a really lovely pack from Marks and Spencers although admittedly this is probably a present that you'd only get for a friend you know really well. Finally to go with my gifts for friends I got some chocolate coins as it's always nice receive chocolate at Christmas and a Christmas card each!

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 8: German Market Trip

Today's Blogmas is another day-in-the-life style post about my trip to the Edinburgh German Market. I visited the market with my dad and sister and as soon as we got off the train we picked up our traditional Bratwurst for lunch. We wandered round the market for a couple of hours but failed to buy much except for a couple of waffles and a Christmas tree decoration. I would recommend the market but it isn't an ideal place to buy gifts as many of the stalls sell either food or Christmas decorations although there are some stalls selling cute niche products.

Then we went to Costa for a Christmas coffee (a vital part of any Christmas day out). Following this we had a look at the Christmas lights and did some Christmas shopping for my cousins, Auntie and Uncle, which was fairy successful as everyone bought something except for me! Finally to finish the day we went for a Mexican for tea. I think going for family days out is such an important part of Christmas time, especially since leaving home I appreciate these days out even more.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation x

Blogmas Day 7: Favourite Christmas Adverts

I must confess every year I look forward to seeing the Christmas adverts on TV. This was a bit more of a challenge being at uni this year and not actually having a TV (thank goodness for youtube). I am the ideal consumer and buy into the Christmas adverts so much, like the naive person that I am, so here are my favourites for this year:

5. Quite shockingly the John Lewis advert is only ranked fifth this year, shocking because the John Lewis adverts are usually my favourite and the one I most look forward to seeing. However I just wasn't feeling this years advert. I have to admit I have much preferred the previous adverts which really pull at your heart strings to this one which is meant to be funny. Anyway I know there are a lot of (perhaps less cynical) people who love this year's advert such as my sister who laughs every time it's shown.

4. Is the Coke advert, the story is so adorable and I love any advert that is about spreading Christmas cheer. I'm also a fan of the Very advert which is very similar but didn't quite make it into my top five.

3. A less classic advert which I love this year is the Amazon advert. This may seem a surprising choice since the advert is in no way relevant to Christmas and could really be shown at any time of year. But in light of the (slightly tragic) year we have had, I find the advert quite refreshing and heart warming and it really does give me a little bit of hope for the future.

2. A close second place is the lovely Marks and Spencers advert. What I love about the advert is that they have put a twist on the traditional story of Santa Claus. I really like how it's Mrs Claus who saves the day, something which I really relate to because I know in my family it's usually my mum who comes to the rescue at Christmas. I feel like mum's in general are often in the background unappreciated but we would be so lost without them, so for this reason the advert resonated with me.

1. Finally my favourite advert is of course Sainsbury's! I really like animated adverts, I think there is something about the animations which take me back to my childhood which for me is exactly what Christmas is about. Again, this is an advert which I think a lot of people can relate to; having a parent who works all of the time can be really difficult during the Christmas period and I just think the whole advert is absolutely heartwarming and I can't help but smile when I see it.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 6: Hot Drinks

Salted caramel cappuccino

Hot drinks are one of my FAVOURITE things about Christmas and the winter season. Costa is usually my go-to place for hot chocolate and this is where I went for my first hot chocolate of the year. I ordered the toasted marshmallow hot chocolate which I was super excited to try and although the hot chocolate was as good as always I was disappointed to find only a few marshmallows on top and wasn't sure it was worth paying the extra. However a drink I do love from the Costa Christmas menu is the salted- caramel cappuccino. I think cappuccino's are perfect for long Christmas shopping or Christmas market trips as I really do find the caffeine gives me a boost when I'm starting to flag. The salted caramel is simply delicious as it gives the coffee a slightly sweeter flavour. Another Christmas drink i'd recommend is the caramel late from MacDonalds (can you tell I have a sweet tooth?) and MacDonalds have also got the cutest take- away cups this year, possibly even nicer than Starbucks!

Homemade hot chocolate

I also love having a hot chocolate when I get home after being out in the cold. At the moment I have Cadbury's hot chocolate powder but I usually just buy whichever brand is on offer. I heat the milk in the microwave for 90 seconds. Then I add 2 teaspoons of hot chocolate powder, the jar says to add 3 but personally I like my hot chocolate's creamy and not too chocolatey. Most people add squirty cream to hot chocolate but I like adding double cream because then the cream mixes with the hot chocolate instead of just sitting on top. Finally I add a few marshmallows to finish it off.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 5: Colour- in Christmas Cards

Welcome to Blogmas Day 5! I know it is technically the 6th today, sorry I didn't manage to get the post up yesterday, it was a bit chaotic so playing catch up today.

Anyway today's post is about Christmas cards. I know that with all the technology we have now writing Christmas cards is a bit of a lost art, but I still think there's something really special about spreading a little bit of Christmas cheer and for me, Christmas would not be the same without the house being decorated with Christmas cards.

This year because I have started university money is quite tight and so I'll only be sending cards to close friends and family but I was looking for a way to do this cheaply as cards can be surprisingly expensive. A few weeks ago I was in Poundland and found a pack of 10 colour-in Christmas cards with envelopes for (you guessed it) only £1. Not only is this incredibly cheap for cards but each one is different and the designs are actually really nice. I loved the idea that the cards would be more personal and colouring them in would be a fun relaxation activity for me to do over my exam period. I am currently working my way through colouring in the cards and am enjoying it so much, it's a fantastic way to get in the Christmas spirit and I'm sure family and friends will appreciate the thought that has gone into them.

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 4: Christmas To Do List

This year I thought I would make a list of things that I want to do to get me in the mood for Christmas over the exam period. I thought I'd share it here because quite a few things on the list will probably feature in Blogmas so it'll give you a sneak preview of what's coming up. It might also give you ideas for Christmas activities that you might fancy doing.

My To Do List:

• Visit the Edinburgh Christmas market
• Make Christmas biscuits to take home
• Watch the light show
• Make paper-chains
• Do a Christmas craft
• Go to a retail park Christmas shopping
• Make mince- pies
• Put up the Christmas tree
• Make Christmas presents
• Send Christmas cards
• Go to Harvey Nichols
• Make a gingerbread house
• Take a walk to see the Christmas lights
• Make Christmas cards
• Watch a Christmas movie
• Decorate the Christmas cake

Christmas Wishes

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 3: Fantastic Beasts and Christmas Food Shop

For day 3 of Blogmas I thought I would do a day-in-the-life style post. This morning I went to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (but don't worry no spoilers) with my family before I go back to university tomorrow. I know it came out 2 weeks ago but honestly going to the cinema is just so expensive, even for a student ticket and in the run up to Christmas I just couldn't afford to go until I came home (aka the bank of mum and dad paid). I was a bit apprehensive about the idea of another film based on the Harry Potter world because I grew up watching and reading Harry Potter and I was sceptical whether anything would able to live up to that. It was a good film and I did enjoy it but felt as though the story was a bit more childish than the Harry Potter films, although maybe I have just grown up. I was also slightly disappointed in that the story-line was a bit less realistic than Harry Potter.  Part of my love for Harry Potter was the fact that it brought magic to life and it really did make the Wizarding World a realistic posibility, whereas Fantastic Beasts seemed a bit less realistic. Despite all my criticism's I did really enjoy the film, I watched it in 2D but think it would be amazing in 3D but I remain unconvinced that it is as good as the Harry Potter.

After the cinema we went to ASDA to do our Christmas food shop. Buying all the food for our Christmas dinner and Christmas chocolates, biscuits and of course alcohol always puts me in the festive spirit and it was lovely to go as a family. Since I was feeling Christmassy I came home and had hot chocolate and plan on spending the evening watching Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor and I'm A Celebrity- all programs which remind me of Christmas. So all in all I have had a lovely family day and going back to uni tomorrow for exams will certainly be a reality check!

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 2: Black Friday Bargains

For Day 2 of Blogmas I thought I would go through a few of my top Black Friday bargains. This year was actually the first time I have shopped the Black Friday Sales as it has passed me by the past few years. But this year, since moving to university in true student style I was keen to grab a bargain. So ridiculous as I am, I stayed up until 2am in order to grab the best bargains (but did write an essay whilst I was waiting for the sales to start).

The first bargains I got were on Amazon who ran a 12 day sale! The sale spanned a range of products and I picked up a couple of great bargain Christmas presents that I was intending on buying anyway so getting them cheaper is always a bonus (more specific details will be included in another Blogmas gifts post later in the month).

Although I promised myself I would only be buying gifts in the Black Friday sales... I did pick up one of these gorgeous burgundy bomber jackets from Miss Selfridge. I have been wanting a jacket, so that was my excuse and it was less than half price so I could not resist.

Finally Barry M at Superdrug were running an offer where if you spent £7 you received this free nail varnish kit. I was already buying a Barry M product as a gift for my friend so didn't take much convincing to spend a little more to get the free gift (and Superdrug do student discount). Plus Barry M is my favourite nail varnish brand so currently debating whether to keep the gift or give it to a friend.

Christmas Wishes

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation

Blogmas Day 1

Its already the first day of December, Oh My Goodness! I must confess I have had a very busy (and at times stressful) year so in a way it's a relief that Christmas is finally here. Blogmas is the  reason I have created this blog because I am super excited about Christmas and coming home for 4 weeks after starting university  and moving out. So I made this blog to allow me to share my Christmas excitement, plans and just everything Christmassy! Blogmas (just in case you don't know) is basically when I will try to post a Christmas themed blog post everyday from now until Christmas.


Today is, of course the first day that we get to open our advent calender's. Every year my grandparents gets me a Thornton's advent calendar which they brought to my flat when they came to visit in October so the chocolate has been long awaited. I also have a second Cadbury advent calendar that a was given by my boyfriend's dad. So I am definitely starting the festive season as I mean to go on with all this chocolate.

I know that many people  decorate their homes on the 1st of December however my family don't put their tree up until the week before Christmas (which is good as it means they will wait until I am home from uni). This year, because I have moved out my family got me a little Christmas decoration and that I have already put up because it's just so cute!

I am really looking forward to starting Blogging and what better way than to start with Blogmas. It will be a bit of an experiment to see if I can manage to post daily over the busy Christmas period plus I have my university exams too but I have plenty of ideas to keep my going...

Christmas Wishes,

Maya x

Little Miss Organisation