FESTIVE THINGS TO DO IN GLASGOW

Christmas is less than two weeks away; can you believe it? I always try to embrace all things festive in December and like to mix old traditions with new activities. A few things that I never fail to miss include:

• Visiting the Christmas markets to indulge in some of the delicious food and mulled wine      Making an occasion of putting up the Christmas tree (mulled wine and Christmas music are essential elements)
• Writing out Christmas cards – it’s such an old-fashioned tradition but I love it. If I have time, I usually like to make my own.
• Snuggling under a blanket to watch some of my favourite Christmas movies with festive chocolate by my side (current obsession: After Eights)
• And of course, spending quality time with my loved ones

This year, budgets are tight with saving for our wedding but that won’t stop me from indulging in a little festive fun. Last week, I kick-started the most magical month of the year with a festive day out with Glasgow Loves Christmas. We got to tick off one of my must-dos and also tried some new things, so I thought I’d share our day with you as a little inspiration for festive activities to fill your December.

Wander the markets

Yes – I’ve already made it to the markets. Glasgow is great for Christmas markets as we have two to visit. For this trip, we visited the George Square markets. I love to just wander the markets, check out the hand-made gifts, try some of the German cuisine and drink a mulled wine or three. We also got a superb view of the square from the top of the big wheel and even took a spin on the carousel. I seriously love carousels and their vintage beauty! 

You can view the opening times for the markets here. 

Shop the Style Mile

Christmas and shopping go hand in hand and it wouldn’t be the December without a little (chaotic) trip to the shops. House of Fraser is by far the most festive shop in the city with rows and rows of fairy lights draped from every corner.  It is a must-visit to get me in the Christmas mood every year. Something I discovered this year is the store actually run a Meet Santa event within the cutest little grotto I’ve ever seen on the first floor. They still have a few dates upcoming on the 15^th and 22^nd – check out their website for more info.

We also took a little pit-stop to John Lewis. We were treated to a personal styling session and I honestly couldn’t believe the stylish pieces that could be found within their store. John Lewis is the store I tend to visit for beauty, trusty electronic purchases and homeware gifts but they have so many great fashion retailers that I didn’t realise.

If you’re looking for a little gift inspiration for a girl in your family or are not sure what to put on your wish list, take a trip to the beauty hall in John Lewis and give the new Dyson curler a try. I got the chance to test the new styling tool and couldn’t believe how polished my hair. It transformed my slightly frizzy hair to salon sleek in just ten minutes!

Festive Film

Glasgow has a hot new cinema in town and I’m legit obsessed! The Everyman Cinema is a cinema-goers dream. It has Insta-worthy interiors, a delicious food menu and cocktails that you can take into the screen with you. There are only three screens, but each has comfy sofas for a unique cinema experience and they play a mix of new and classic movies. They have a selection of Christmas movies running too including It’s a Wonderful Life in the lead up to the 25th. Definitely one to include in your December activities for a chilled but fun day out.  

The cinema is based on the bottom floor within Princes Square. 

I hope the above gives you a little inspiration for the festive season! Thanks again to Glasgow Loves Christmas for the perfect start to this year’s festivities!

XoXo

A festive 24 hours in Glasgow

You have a free weekend in December, there are Christmas gifts to be ticked off your gift list and you want to have a little fun. What do you do? Pack your bags, invite your girlfriends and take a spontaneous trip to Glasgow to soak up all things festive, of course.

As the UK's best shopping destination outside of London, Glasgow is an AMAZING place to find gifts your friends and family will love. Shopping at Christmas shouldn't be a chore though so why not start your day off with brunch, visit department stores with the most magical twinkly lights, refuel with a few sweet treats and finish off your day recapping on your successful shopping trip over dinner and drinks before resigning to your comfy hotel bed. Sounds like the perfect day to me. 

I gave this exact trip a test run last weekend with Glasgow Loves Christmas and had the best time. Here's what we got up to. 

Start your day off with brunch

With a busy shopping day ahead you'll need a good meal to kick start your day. Kimbles in St Enoch Centre is a new discovery for me. I've passed by the sweet little cafe more times than I can remember but I never realised they have a gorgeous upstairs area that is so light and airy. The store is also the perfect place to pick up a festive treat for your sweet toothed friends, 

Shop 'til you drop

Christmas shopping pre-lunch time means for less queues, a calmer atmosphere and a better opportunity to capture pictures of the millions of festive decorations you will pass by. 

If you visit anywhere in Glasgow during December it has to be House of Fraser. The department store is completely decked out in fairy lights and is an Instagram dream. They've recently welcomed the stunning House of Dior which is everything I want my home to look like and more. Filled with couture perfumes, candles, soaps and beauty, it's the perfect destination to pick up a gift for that someone special in your life. They provide a glasses of Moet to all customers and also occasionally provide free engraving service so it's the ultimate shopping experience. Before leaving House of Fraser, don't forget to visit the new Charlotte Tilbury counter. I've never really tried out the brand but after test running their matte liquid lipstick, Hollywood Lip, I'll be back very soon. I was SO impressed with this lipstick's staying power and the colour was spot on. 

Have a wander down the Christmas markets

They're only here for about six weeks so you'd be silly to miss this one out on a Christmas shopping trip. The markets are the ultimate festive spirit switch on spot as you stroll through unique gifts, sweet smelling treats and indulgent takeaway foods. 

Refuel over afternoon tea

You've now shopped yourself dry and urgently require fuel for the second half of the day why not stop by Cup Tea Lounge in Virginia Square for a festive afternoon tea. This cafe is seriously cute and is situated in a cute lane just off the hustle and bustle of the Style Mile. Perfect to get away from it all for a moment. 

Update your Christmas decos

I'm not sure about you but adding a new Christmas decoration to your home is a self-made tradition that I enjoy a lot. John Lewis is always so creative with their Christmas themes each year. This year they have seven themes from Winter Palace to Into the Woods. 

Get a pick me up at the Nespresso pop up

If you like coffee you'll love Nespresso. There's currently a pop up in Buchanan Galleries for all of you coffee lovers out there. Picking on the right capsule will be your only concern here. 

Make your own gift at the Beauty Kitchen

I'm a total advocate for DIY-ing at Christmas. I love to make my own Christmas cards and such so the create your own classes at The Beauty Kitchen are right up my street. From choosing your base ingredient to the oils that it is mixed with you create the product that works best for you. Plus you have fun along the way.....bonus. 

Finish the day with festive dinner and drinks

Now that you're completely shopped out, it's time to reward yourself with some well earned grub while you guzzle down a few cocktails. Located inside the stunning Princes Square (queue more Christmas decorations photo opps) Restaurant Bar and Grill serves up a mean steak and sweet-tasting cocktails. The restaurant is totally unexpected and is a lot bigger than you would probably first think. There's also a private room for anyone dining out in a bigger group. 

Hit the hay at Grand Central Hotel

Now you've exhausted all energy it's time to head back to your hotel and get a well earned nights sleep. Located within Glasgow's Central Station and a quick five minute walk to the Style Mile, Grand Central Hotel ticks all the boxes. They have one of Glasgow's best, if not thee best, champagne bars in the city right inside the hotel for a night cap and check out isn't until 12 o'clock. That's right, you can lounge the morning away in your PJs while ordering breakfast to the room. 

I vlogged our entired festive day out with Glasgow Loves Christmas which is now live on my YouTube - get all the festive feels by clicking play below :) 

Thanks so much to Glasgow Loves Christmas  for hosting me on this trip!

Until next time. 

xoxo