5 activities to get you in the mood for the Holidays

Thanksgiving just passed by and you feel like everyone is already way too excited for Christmas. But it's still November. NOVEMBER!

You look out the window and...horror! You see your neighbour has already put up his Christmas lights. Doesn't he know it's socially unacceptable to do that before December 1rst? He probably doesn't. But that doesn't give you the right to act like the Grinch. There are some things everyone loves about this time of the year, and you are no exception. So, I will tell you five activities to get you in the mood for the Holidays.

1.German Christmas market

Let’s just say it takes a lot of patience to go to the mall during the Holidays season. Kids are running everywhere, people are arguing on the price of tablecloths and... don'teven get me started on parking. Instead of living this nightmare all over again, visit your local Christmas market. This will get you instantly in the mood for the Holidays and you will eat the best comfort food in town (who doesn't love a giant pretzel?).

2.Ice-skating

If you are lucky enough to live in a place where you can do outdoor ice-skating, go for it. Gather a couple of friends, put your skates on and have fun. Of course, one of you is bound to fall on his butt, whichis hilarious. That way, you will have something to laugh about during your Christmas dinner.

3.Fir or Pine tree farm

You might think it's too early to go pick out your Christmas tree, but let's be real. By the time you get to the 15th of December, all the best trees will be gone. It's also a good occasion to gather all of your family (or your dog) and walk within a nicely scented forest. You may not need a Christmas tree, but you will surely enjoy the walk.

4.Gingerbread cookies

Don't get me wrong. I am that one individual that always eats out because I don't want to cook. But each year, the Holidays cast a spell on me, which transforms me into a home-cook goddess. Banana bread, meat pie, turkey, you name it, I cook it. But the one thing that always gets me in the mood for Christmas is gingerbread cookies. I love cooking, decorating and giving them. Make sure you have your cute apron on!

5.Treat yourself

It is the season to give, but also the season to feel good about yourself. How about buying a little pre-Christmas gift for yourself this year. Maybe a massage or that new handbag you have been eyeing for months? It doesn't have to be something expensive, just a little something that makes you smile.

Of course, there are tons of other activities to do, but these are my favourite that gets me ready for the Holidays. Hope you enjoy them andhave a joyful Holiday season. Also, please don't forget to follow my winter adventures on Instagram (shameless self-promo).

Enjoy,

The little traveller's boots

How to start planning your wedding

He or she just proposed! Congrats! You are now planning a lifetime of happiness together and, in the upcoming year(s), a wonderful wedding. But the question now hanging on your mind is; where do I start? I remember asking myself the same when the "OMG I am getting married" phase finished. How do I plan my wedding? What is my vision? Who should I ask for help? Keeping this in mind, don't forget that you are not alone in this adventure and that your fiancé is probably asking himself or herself the same questions. So sit down together, grab a cup of coffee and start reading my top 7 steps on planning your dream wedding.

1.Wedding Planner

Yes, you can hire a wedding planner right away to save you a lot of time and headache. They often offer quality services responding to the client's personal interests and desires. Plus, they know all the local secrets and latest wedding trends. But it is unfortunately not for free. As a cheaper and even more personalize alternative,  I recommend you buy a wedding guide (or planner) in your local book store. Most of them are  well-made and have all of the information you need to know during your pacification. From budget to detailed guides, this will be your bible. You can find a few of my favourites here:

-Etsy: Personalised Bridal 

-Indigo: Meg Keene

-BHLDN: Some kind of wonderful wedding planner

2.Religious or civil

Probably one of the least enjoyable but most important decision you have to make with your other half. Do you want a religious or civil ceremony? If there is any hesitation between the two of you, make sure you make a list of the pros and cons of each type of ceremony together. In the end, you will spend the rest of your life with the other person, so you better start communicating now.

3.Guests

One of the first thing you should do is sit down with your fiancé and start doing your guests list. Here is a tip; start by the most important people you want at your special day (close family, wedding party, important friends, etc.) and continue the list by order of importance to yourselves. Remember! It's YOUR wedding. So if you don't want to invite the drunkard cousin or the overly-attached jealous bridesmaid's boyfriend, it's your choice. Make sure you are surrounded by the most important people for you and your fiancé.

4.Budget

Now that you approximately know your number of guests, you have to set a budget together. Get help from a recently married friend or your wedding planner. Once you set your mind on a number, make sure you respect it along the way. At this point, you should also decide if you want the guests to pay for attending your wedding.

5.Date

If you are like myself and work on weekends, setting the date can be kind of tricky. Most people work during the week and have the weekend off, so choosing the right day only depends on yourselves. Depending on the type of wedding you intend to have, it can take you up to 18 months to plan it, so make sure you have enough time. You should also make sure to have different date options, because your venue location might not be available on your initial choice.

6.Location

Let me tell you one thing; the location has to be somewhere that you both want, not something that everyone else wants. First, you should make a list of what you want for your venue. Do you want to have your ceremony and reception at the same place? Do you want to celebrate your wedding outside? If so, what was the weather like for the past 10 years? (Find out here). Do you want it to be a destination wedding? Or where the bride was born? Once you've figure this one out, all you have to do is visit the places and book it.

7.Inspiration

During the week following the proposal, we got so excited, we bought 3 wedding magazines, which were filled with publicities and  about two interesting articles. We felt overwhelmed and were disappointed since we didn't feel inspired. Then, one of my friends, who recently got married, told me that she found her wedding ideas on Pinterest and that there were tons of inspiration. Way too many coffees and late-nights scrolling through the internet later, we found our wedding theme and overall inspiration for our wedding. But remember, once you have found your theme, do not look back, or you will have regrets. (My pinterest)

These were just a few tips that I found especially useful once I got engaged. I hope they will help you navigate through the preparation of your wedding. And most importantly, don't forget to have fun planning it together. It might be stressful at first, but it will be pleasant since it's a reflection of your future life alongside each other.

Enjoy,

The little traveller's boots

Xox