The Christmas Chaos, A Full House & A Quiet NYE

Sophie Allatt
Dec 29, 2022
5 min read

Updated: Apr 2

December always feels like a fever dream of glitter, mulled wine, and exhaustion—but somehow, I made it through another festive season without completely losing my mind. Just about. It’s the month where everything feels like it’s being crammed into a snow globe—spinning, sparkly, slightly disorienting, and beautiful in a chaotic kind of way.

The city was at peak chaos right before Christmas—last-minute shopping, festive catch-ups that blurred into the next day, and an overwhelming sense that everyone was trying to squeeze in one last thing before the year wrapped up. It’s that frantic final push: outfit planning for things you forgot you RSVPed to, fridge dilemmas that feel oddly existential, and inboxes that suddenly auto-reply with “See you in January!”

I was surviving on oat milk lattes, leftover mince pies, and vibes. And then, just as quickly as it began, London emptied. The office crowds disappeared, the tubes got quieter, and I packed my bags to head home for Christmas. The real kind of home—the one with biscuit tins from 1996, dried holly above the door, and family members who still see you as a teenager even when you’re wearing a full-length wool coat and ankle boots.

Home for Christmas: A Full House & A Lot of Noise

This year, Christmas was properly full-on. Both sisters, their husbands, the dog, the pram, the chaos—and the newest addition to the family—my baby niece’s first Christmas, which meant a whole new level of festive mayhem. The kind where every surface is covered in wrapping paper, every room smells faintly of turkey, and someone is always asking where the remote is.

It was loud. It was crowded. It was slightly overwhelming. But it was also one of the best Christmases I’ve had in ages. Something about being surrounded by noise that isn’t coming from emails or WhatsApp groups felt grounding. Messy, but grounding.

Some highlights:

Board games that started friendly but quickly turned aggressive. Articulate is not for the weak, and Monopoly was banned by lunchtime.
The annual pub trip, where half the town had the same idea and everyone pretended not to recognise old school crushes (except my sister, who definitely did).
The kitchen in a state of constant motion—too many cooks, far too many opinions, not enough oven trays, and an ongoing debate about whether pigs in blankets should be crispy or soft.
Watching my niece ‘unwrap’ presents by mostly eating the paper. Honestly? Iconic.
Mum’s trifle that still divides the room, year after year. And yes, she added jelly.

Christmas with kids is a different experience—the energy is high, the mess is everywhere, and I now have a whole new level of respect for parents who do this every single year without combusting.

Also: I have never eaten so much in my life. And I regret nothing. I wore stretchy trousers, I paced myself, and I went back for thirds. December is no time for portion control.

New Year’s Eve: Quiet, Cosy & A Little Anti-Climactic

After the full sensory overload of Christmas, New Year’s Eve was... subdued. No big parties, no elaborate plans—just a small night in London, good company, a few too many Ferrero Rochers, and a vague feeling that maybe I should’ve done something more exciting. But I didn’t have the energy to care.

There was a moment—as I scrolled through people’s NYE celebrations in New York, Paris, and sun-drenched beaches somewhere far away—where I thought, next year, I’m doing it differently. I made a mental note. Let’s see what version of me remembers.

That said, there was something quietly magical about ending the year without chaos. A soft landing into 2023. No drama. Just warm drinks, fuzzy socks, and a playlist I didn’t hate. We toasted with prosecco, had a midnight kiss that felt like something from a Netflix romcom, and went to bed before 1am. Dreamy.

Reflections on 2022: The Fast, The Slow & The Unexpected

December always brings that natural moment of reflection—the kind that sneaks up on you between Christmas and New Year, when the world feels like it’s on pause and time becomes a little blurry. You realise you’ve been wearing pyjamas for three days straight and haven’t fully opened your laptop since Boxing Day.

Some thoughts:

2022 was fast. A year of movement, change, and saying yes to things before overthinking them.
It had surprises—some good, some difficult, but all necessary.
It was a year of shifting friendships, shifting priorities, and trusting that what’s meant to stay, will.
It wasn’t perfect, but I learned a lot—and maybe that’s enough.
It gave me moments of pure joy, some heartbreak, and plenty of growth in between.

Also: 2023 feels big. I don’t know why, but I feel it. There’s something in the air. Or maybe it's just the leftover Champagne. But I’m leaning into it—ready, grateful, cautiously optimistic.

Style: Sparkle, Cosy Coats & The Last Looks of the Year

December’s wardrobe was pure Gemini energy—half-glam, half-comfort. I switched between sequin dresses and wool joggers at lightning speed. One moment I was all dressed up for a Christmas party, the next I was curled on the sofa in thermal socks and an oversized jumper.

Closet recap:

Festive sequins and party dressing—because if not now, when?
Oversized wool coats, always thrown over everything.
Chunky knits, paired with tailored trousers and gold jewellery.
Knee-high boots, because frostbite isn’t chic.
Silk pyjamas, worn more out of necessity than style.

Also: there is nothing more satisfying than stepping into 2023 in a really good outfit. Bonus points if you didn’t have to sacrifice warmth for fashion. I managed both, thank you very much.

Wellness: Trying (And Failing) to Maintain Balance

December is not a peak wellness month, but I tried. I went in with good intentions, but there’s only so much green juice can do when you’re having Christmas pudding for breakfast.

Pilates happened… sporadically.
Hydration? A struggle.
Skincare? Survived, thanks to the ‘moisture at all costs’ approach.
Sleep? A future-me problem.
Meditation? I called scrolling Pinterest ‘mindful thinking’ and left it at that.

Also: at this point, I’m counting ‘walking around Christmas markets’ as exercise. And honestly, that might be my most consistent fitness routine this month. I’ve done laps of Liberty, strolled through Selfridges, and carried multiple bags from M&S. Core engagement? Absolutely.

Mindset: Ending The Year Without Rushing Into The Next

December reminded me that:

It’s okay to slow down before the fresh-start energy kicks in.
Some things are meant to end with the year, and that’s okay.
A new year doesn’t need to mean a ‘new me’—sometimes, it’s just about evolving.
The most powerful thing you can do is rest with intention.

Also: 2023, I’m coming for you. But not with a bang—with a steady, grounded kind of power. Not every chapter needs fireworks. Some just need soft light and a bit of trust.

Pop Culture, Trends & What’s Happening Right Now

The ‘clean slate’ aesthetic is coming in strong—minimal dressing, quiet luxury, fresh starts.
Resolutions are being set, even though we all know how this ends.
Everyone is either detoxing or pretending to, but oat lattes are still thriving.
People are debating whether January should be ‘productive’ or just another extension of the holiday season.
Bows are back, the colour navy is having a moment, and scented candles are still the personality trait of choice.

Let’s be honest—we’re all winging it.

The Month Ahead: What’s Coming?