As people are fond of saying at this time of year, there is nothing that I need for Christmas. Just nothing whatsoever. I could probably do with 6 or 7 gift-free Christmas’s to declutter our house and simplify my life. But there are always lots of things that I would like. Friends and family, there is so much I would like. If money and practicality and need were no object. You’ll see, I’m really incredibly easy to buy for.
Admittedly, my party schedule isn’t hectic. But in order to be armed and ready for my next invite, I’d like these LK Bennet velvet sandals, please. Aren’t they nice? And they look like you could stand in them for a while. I blame The Pool for showing me in one of their shopping emails. Those are dangerous emails.
Ever since I saw graphic artist and printmaker Anthony Burrill speak about his life and work at a blogging conference earlier this year, I’ve been a raving fan. First, he was so cool, second his designs communicate beautifully simple and upbeat ideas. Work Hard And Be Nice To People is his most famous print, so I’ll start my collection there.
I’m serious, bring me more socks. Let’s not let another Christmas come and go.
But on the subject of books, Dumbledore, there is one that I would love. How to Own the Room: Women and the Art of Brilliant Speaking by Viv Groskop. Viv is a journalist and comedian, and her book looks at brilliant female public speakers and the qualities they have that make an audience sit up and listen. I started presenting and public speaking this year for the first time in my life, and have been avidly following the brilliant podcast series that accompanies the book. Go have a listen.
Does anyone look better in clothes at the moment than Holly Willoughby? Just a borrow of her stylist Angie Smith for a day or so would sort me out I’m convinced of it.
Matt thinks I just need to embrace the electronic shared diary. How boring is that? I resist it to my bones. I think hiring a family personal assistant is the ideal way to sort out our litany of diary clashes and missed appointments.
I’d like my dream social media content planner, thank you please. It only exists in my head, or in the ones I create in blank notebooks. All the planners you can buy or print fall far short of the needs of my chaotic brain. The problem is that they don’t have enough space. At least 2 sides of A4 per working day are needed for notes and lists and scribbles. I daydream about designing one. Saving the problems of the world a small step at a time.
In the past year, I have loaded up on training courses and starting new things. Overloaded. But there’s another bit of learning that I am itching to do but haven’t yet (because TIME); a short filmmaking course. The one I have in mind is an online course by the photographer and filmmaker Xanthe Berkley (another one I’m a raving fan of). Wrap it up in a bow and put it under the tree, 2019 will be the year when I find out more about film.
I understand that other people have husbands and partners who make them a cup of tea in the morning. I do not. Send in the elves to make me a daily cuppa. That would be a gift.
Click here’s last year’s wish list and tell me what you would love this Christmas.