Christmas Crazy?

Anyone that knows me knows I am a bit of a Christmas Nut! I shan't deny it!

Every year I throw myself into Christmas like a huge kid and often drag my kids and Scott along to Christmas inspired events that I know that they only attend to humour me.  Most of the time they end up enjoying it just as much as I do and this weekend was no exception - we had the most amazing experience travelling on the Polar Express.  It was everything it should have been and more, and whilst it, combined with a hotel stay and various meals etc, added up to a pretty hefty bill, I didn't feel it was too much of an extravagance for the most wonderful time of the year but I know that some looking on may not agree.

Some go huge on Christmas, others let it sail on by with hardly a murmur.

Everyone celebrates Christmas in their own way.

It’s that time of year when many of us get a little looser with our grip of the purse strings, and the credit card gets a little (or lot) more use than usual.

But for some of the world’s wealthiest people for whom cost is not an issue the festive season is a time to splash out – in the most eye watering of ways.

Check out these big spenders:

Kempinski Hotel Bahía, a stunning 5* hotel in Marbella has laid claim to having the World’s most expensive tree this year, costing a cool £11.9 million.  Joining forces with British designer Debbie Wingham, the hotel offers a magnificent tree decorated with handmade diamond baubles, jewellery from luxury brands including Bulgari, Cartier, and Chanel and edible 3-D decorations.  Why?  All to celebrate it's 20th anniversary and in doing so, could well break a World Record.

Fan of Tiffany & Co?  Well the luxury American brand unveiled the world's most expensive advent calendar this year - 2019 seems to be the year for it!  It’s an awe inspiring four-foot-tall creation in its signature blue, containing a piece of jewellery for each day in the run-up to December 25th.  The cost of such luxury?  A mere £104,000.00!

And what do you get the multi-millionaire/billionaire who has everything? How about a Christmas wreath studded with 16 rubies, 32 diamonds and brimming with bling?  Well you can!  For a whopping £2.8 million!  I don't think that particular wreath will be sat on anyone's front door for long!

But don’t despair if you’re not a tech billionaire, lottery winner or Russian oligarch. A recent research study showed that only three factors need to be present for people to have a very merry Christmas – and none of them involve spending oodles of money.

They are:

1. Accept that everything will not go perfectly, it never does, enjoy the season and let yourself be merry.
2. Find a way to experience ‘helpers’ high’.  Those that give to charity or do something nice for a neighbour, friend or even a stranger always feel merrier from the act of giving.
3. Make time over the festive period to do absolutely nothing!  Stop, sit down, put your feet up and zone out, maybe with a tipple of your favourite balancing precariously in yout hand.

Whatever your budget, wherever you are and whoever you spend it with, remember Christmas is a time for love and giving and it is always the thought that counts.