10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT WINTER (in Europe)

SNOW – the silence before the snow falls, snow ball fights, fresh snow, the sounds of crisp snow crunching beneath snugly oversized snow boots, snow capped mountains, dogs that love to eat snow balls, crystallized flowers, building snow man, snow days in London, sledging – especially the home made sleds, long walks through the snow speckled forests

HOT TOTTIES – red mulled wine, white mulled wine, mulled cider, Glug Wine, hot Pimms, hot chocolate, steaming cup of coffee, warm milk and honey, egg nog, hot whiskey, Irish coffee

WINTER STYLING – beanies, gloves, scarves, leg warmers, toe socks, ski socks, thermal socks, thermal underwear, leather boots, ski boots, multi coloured, double layered, wool, cashmere, cheap, expensive, vintage, matching, fingerless, berets, leather, fake leather, balaclavas, neck socks, ear muffs, mittens, pom poms, badges, brooches

CHRISTMAS MARKETS – Mulled wine, bratwurst, churros, cheap Christmas hats, more mulled wine, cold salesmen, random gifts, dogs dressed in Santa outfits (seriously people...), carolling, outdoor fires, cheese and charcuterie stalls, Santa’s parade, fireworks

ROSY CHEEKS – although the cold can be so bitter you fear losing fingers and toes Rosy cheeks and Rudolph noses add a little colour to a dreary day.

WOOD FIRES – collecting wood, trying to split logs (bahaha no good at that one..), the smell of burning pine, discussions that escalate into arguments about who is better at building a fire, sitting around the fire with a hot tottie and blanket, watching the fire die out and the incredible change in colours, smoke, chimney sweeps

CHEESE (or chocolate) FONDUE – pfft... Need I say more?

SKIING – michelin man jackets, bum padded ski pants, learning to walk in ski boots, learning to juggle skis and poles, funky goggles, BEND ZEE KNEES, snow plough, pizza... French fries – pizza.... French fries, thermals, skidoos, après ski bar hopping, mastering the chair lifts, gaining speed (obviously post ACL tear this is now all a thing of the past for me)

CHRISTMAS – family, friends, laughter, playing, collecting Christmas hats, eating so much you have to pop the top button of your jeans (Don’t tease, we’ve all been there), Santa, the reindeer, baking Christmas goodies, Christmas card photos, Christmas decorations, dressing the Christmas tree, checking out the neighbours decorations, Christmas lights... Everywhere, Christmas carols (although by Dec 10^th I’ve normally had about enough), finding that perfect gift, helping make cookies for Santa and getting up in the middle of the night to help them disappear, church bells, Santa outfits, Elves, cheesy Christmas movies, Christmas baubles, watching the pile under the Christmas tree grow, mince pies

And of course, the first glorious days of SPRING – when the temperature goes over 10 degrees for the first time in 5 months, packing away the jackets and pulling out the thongs and swimwear, the smell of freshly cut grass, blossoming flowers