Dear Santa

How are you? The busy seasonal rush have already started and I thought you would like to see my suggestions for gifts for this festive session:

Books – I am lucky to be near a mainline train station on in my way to work and the St Pancras Christmas Tree, which is usually sponsored by fabulous businesses over the years, has one of the best artificial trees designs this year.  This year the tree is sponsored by Hatchard’s bookshop of London, one of the oldest bookshops being established in 1797.  I first came across Hatchard’s when I used to order books for the library I worked for in the past, and even then, my colleagues told me how special this bookshop is compared to others.  The design has also included audio booths, and a seating area where you can listen to famous stories from Penguin Books.  It is such a great pleasure to see it for the next few weeks and how people are engaging with the tree in the journeys in this festive season. 

Appropriately, there is a Waterstones bookshop directly opposite the tree should you wish to buy some books.  I also popped into my local bookstore this weekend and they too have a great collection of books and gifts that have a local specialism with lots of community products and ideas.  This time of year is the best time for finding some reading time, especially during the holidays.  I am looking forward to reading as a treat this year!

Fashion & Clothing – I buy clothes throughout the year but at this time, there are still so many beautiful clothes in the shops, and it is the one time that we may be able to wear really nice clothes for Christmas Parties.  Therefore I know that some people look for new clothes to wear for the office or family parties… or just for themselves.  This week I also realised that I need a functional work bag, and therefore I am hoping to get some vouchers so that I can buy one that has all the features I would like.  There are also lots of items that are absolutely beautiful in the shops but I know that they are likely to be going on sale soon, and perhaps I can wait if I really want them. 

However Santa, my little secret is that I have been buying stuff online and don’t really need much clothes. I am looking forward to spring and summer next year and perhaps I may resist the temptation to buy something until then.  Psst… our little secret.

Jewellery and Cosmetics – Sadly, I lost a couple of gold earrings in recent years when we were wearing masks. I do have more earrings but since then I have been using more cosmetic jewellery daily, and there are so many beautiful jewellery pieces in the shops.  I also have received make-up from my relatives in Canada, especially for Mac makeup but recently I discovered Ruby Roo by Mac for that instance pick-me-up, and you can’t not have enough lipsticks. I also don’t spend enough time or money on my facial routine as I am toooooo busy, but I hope I can try some self-care items I see in the shops in St Pancras, such as L’Occitane or Neals Yard Remedies.   I will perhaps make it my own goal to buy some of these gorgeous products as treats for my own self-care.  What do you think?

BTW, I probably would like an Apple watch as I don’t have one as yet. I know they are also good for monitoring our health information and analytics, as well being a great communication tool.  Who knows! Perhaps I may get one when my current watch stops working. 

Food & Drink – I am looking forward to spending time with family and friends in December.  I can perhaps try a few new places to eat in my neighbourhood and in north London.  I hear there is a great Colombian restaurant in Tottenham I would like to try, and a great Italian deli in Haringey Green Lanes which sells lots of branded products that you still don’t see in the supermarkets.  I will also start buying all my dried fruits for making my traditional Christmas cake in homage to my Trinidadian heritage.  I do look forward to baking during this season. 

There are several festive things that is on the shopping list at this time of year.  I also buy a few drinks to enjoy this time of year for friends and…myself.  It also a prelude to New Year’s Eve when it is nice to have some bubbly champagne or prosecco to celebrate the new year.  I do like to buy my friends some drinks too. 

There are some traditional things that you only every eat this time of year such as Panettone, mince pies, roast Turkey and all the trimmings, snacks, treats and lots of new discoveries. I look forward to trying new flavours and ideas for what is trendy this Christmas time.   

Happiness and Peace – For my own personal peace, I would also ask you for music but as I have a subscription to a music streaming service and You Tube, I can enjoy music when I want and I do look forward to relaxing this holiday to music. I have also missed a few key films this year but I also look forward to my holidays when I look at a lot of film on Netflix that I wasn’t able to find the time to see.  And perhaps I can go to the cinema too when I am on leave.

This special year has been a busy year for me, and I have been burning the midnight oil into the early hours on most days to get through my workload and commitments.  I have not given myself too much time to relax or to switch off, and I am actually dreaming of summer holidays by the seaside looking out at the horizon on a clear day with blue skies. 

It has been really hard the last few months with the world still in conflict and I hope this will be a time humans can change.  I have little hope that there every be total peace on this Earth.  However, if there is a bit of Santa magic… I would love a bit of calm, respect for one another and peace for fellow humankind.  This will bring true happiness in the basic and most simple form in a time when it is most needed. 

With this, I wish you all the best for your busiest month of year and hope you get some extra rest soon.  Happy Holidays too!

Love,

Seema xx