The Ultimate Christmas Guide - written for elivahellena.blogspot.com

It seems to happen earlier and earlier each year but what is it that officially marks the beginning of the festive season? Is it the red cups full of ginger-bread lattes from Starbucks? Coca-Cola’s ‘Holidays are coming’ Christmas ad, turning on the Christmas lights? Digging your favourite winter coat out of hibernation? Whatever it is, when the festive season hits it’s a great thing, time to come together with friends and family and spend quality time with each other.

This is a little guide that’s been put together to help you make this Christmas the best; find the top five party dresses, the best festive tunes and some brilliant gift ideas whether you give them away or it’s a sneaky Christmas gift for yourself! 

The Perfect Party Dress

There is little doubt in our mind that choosing the perfect festive party dress is one of, if not the most, important decisions of the Christmas period. Do you go for short, full length or midi? What colour do you choose and how will you accessorize? Fear not, we’ve put together a top five of the best party dresses out there, so whether you want a fun print, fashion forward materials, the seasons’ hottest colours or something a little bit glitzy; you’re covered!

Top Christmas Party Dresses:

1. Feather Hem Dress – Warehouse - £130 (162 €/ 207 $)
2. Camo Print Lantern Dress – Topshop - £75 (94 €/ 120 $)
3. Black Lambskin Dress – Farfetch.com - £2952 (3.680,80 €/ 4.684,85 $)
4. Restrain Dress – All Saints - £225 (281 €/ 358 $)
5. Skater Dress in Lace and Velvet – ASOS.com - £45 (57 €/ 73 $)

Secret Santa

Make sure you’re everybody’s favourite friend with the best gifts this Christmas this year from little gifts like a cool clutch to hold your cash and phone to Michael Kors stunning rose gold watch. Don’t leave it to the last minute and make sure you’ve got everything wrapped up nicely for the big day.

Secret Santa:

1. Pastel Glitter Phone Clutch – Urban Outfitters - £16 (20 €/ 26 $)
2. Chain Detail Necklace with skull pendants – Zara –  £15.99 (20 €/ 26 $)
3. Michael Kors Ladies’ Chronograph Watch – watchshop.com - £194 (242 €/ 308 $)
4. Kate: The Kate Moss Book - Amazon.com  –  £32.50 (40,53 €/ 51,60 $) 
5. Gardenia Scented Candle – Farfetch.com - £38 (48 €/ 61 $)

Christmas Mixtape

Whether you’re a super fan of the Christmas tune or your one of those who pretends not to like them (although you can’t help but sing along), nothing sets the festive mood like a Christmas crooner. So if you’re planning on making someone a personalised Christmas mix tape or you just want to make sure you’ve got your present opening soundtrack sorted then this is where to start. Get ready because these classic Yule tide songs will warm the cockles of even the biggest scrooge’s heart.  At home, in the office or even in the gym keep your spirits high; why not invite friends round for a cheesy round of Christmas karaoke!?

Christmas Mix tape:

• White Christmas – The Drifters 
• All I Want For Christmas – Mariah Carey
• Let it Snow! – Dean Martin
• Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Frank Sinatra
• It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas – Michael Buble

Christmas movies

If you find yourself at a loose end or it’s that time when the presents are done being unwrapped and copious amounts of festive beverages have been consumed and your slipping rapidly into a turkey induced food coma then put on one of these fantastic Christmas movies. Perfect viewing whether you’re with friends or family snuggle up with one of these classic Christmas films, for something traditional It’s a Wonderful Life is your best bet, for pure comedy value you can’t beat National Lampoons or Home alone and for something a little different The Nightmare Before Christmas is a wonderful alternative Christmas animation! 

Ultimate Christmas Movies:

1. It’s a Wonderful Life
2. National Lampoons Christmas Vacation
3. The Nightmare Before Christmas
4. Elf
5. Home Alone

Christmas Beauty

Whatever time of year it is there is no reason to slack on personal beauty regimens but we celebrate the fact that the time of giving is also the time to spend a little more attention to our festive grooming routines. From amazing festive Santa Clause nail art to brilliant Yule tide make up tips ‘tis the season to look fantastic because after all those mince pies and mulled wine take their toll after a while! Don’t forget to be mistletoe ready with the perfect Christmassy red lips or a rosy pink blush! 

1. Santa Clause Nails
2. Festive Christmas Tree hair bows
3. Crimson Christmas pout
4. The winter rosy cheek
5. Smell like x-mas – Philosophyskincare.co.uk

So that’s that; everything you need to know to help Christmas go as smoothly as possible, you’ll be sorted; presents at the ready, films and music cued and the perfect winter pout, what more could you need? Well there is just one thing we can think of..SNOW! 

This guest blog post was written for free by Lucinda Bounsall at farfetch.com