By Mélissa M Azombo
Christmas is just 18 days away. So, what better way to get ready for the festivities than to share some gift ideas and get that Christmas wishlist ready!
Of course, Chrsistmas is a time of giving, sharing and caring. It is not all about receiving presents. Sometimes though, someone wants to show you they care by getting you something you really want, no matter how many times you protest that you don’t want anything.
“You know when someone asks you what your favourite book is and suddenly you’ve forgotten every book you’ve ever read?” – Clara Oswald, Doctor Who: Series 7B: The Rings Of Akhaten
So, what do you actually want? It’s funny. All year round, you could think of things which could have made your day a bit better or really helped you out with that assignment or even sped up your business venture but now, your mind’s gone blank. What else is there to do than to get some inspiration, think back and get that small Christmas wishlist ready?
Hoping it will help you write yours, here’s my Christmas wishlist:
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Doctor Who: The Official Cookbook by Joanna Farrow
Image Courtesy of BBC Shop: Lots of timey-wimey recipes to try out!
This would be a fantatic present to receive for any Doctor Who fan, who also really enjoys food. This is a gift you can be really creative with and learn a lot from. It is really cool to make something that is a change to your average meal and also good for parties, if I ever have any, in the future. In the mean-time, it seems like the perfect companion for the upcoming Doctor Who Christmas special.
2. Orphan Black Comic Books
Image courtesy of Indiewire: A Christmas with the sestras sounds perfect.
Now that Orphan Black has come to a close on air, it sounds like the right time to explore the world of Orphan Black further. Perhaps this is a chance to find some hidden secrets about some of the characters the TV show may not have touched on, especially the clones. Comic books can be very expensive, so just one issue will make this sestra a very happy one.
3. The Science Of Orphan Black
Image courtesy of Amazon: Delve right into the Science Fact behind Science Fiction Orphan Black!
Just one more Orphan Black treat. As an Astronomy grad, I am obviously all about the science (and yes, Cosima, is of course one of my favourite clones), so this book would just be perfect for me. I just really enjoy looking into how real life science applies to the generally futuristic ideas we tend to see in science fiction.
As Orphan Black tackled the Biology branch of sci-fi, straying from the usual Physics branch I tend to watch with Doctor Who, I found the show to be a really exciting concept, when it started. It will therefore be really enlightening, informative and fun to learn about the biology applications to Orphan Black. How close are we to the world of Orphan Black becoming reality? Is it a possibility or are actual regulations too tight to let illegal human cloning trials go unnoticed? In that case, is this something that may become legal in the future? There are so many questions I have I hope this book would answer. If I am lucky enough to get gifted this, I shall find out!
This is just a great gift for anyone who enjoyed the show and is not necessarily as into their science as me but keen to learn, in a fun way.
4. A Telescope
Image courtesy of 365Astronomy: Bringing the stars closer to home
I have wanted to get into Astrophotography properly for quite a few years, now but still have not quite managed to save up enough to be able to get my very own telescope and DSLR camera. This therefore goes into the category of unrealistic gifts but is still on my Christmas wishlist because one can dream, can’t one?
If I was to have my own telescope, I could make like Wilfred Mott and get back into my observing. Now, is the best time because, although it may sound like the winter coming up is an observer’s nightmare in the freezing cold, the longer nights provide us with a longer observing session, meaning more time to look at more objects and, if you’re a true enthusiast, more data to analyse. As long as it does not rain and there is no cloud cover, if you like observing, you’re in for a treat, in the winter.
In the mean time, there is still plenty to enjoy with the naked eye, such as my favourite, Orion.
5. Taylor Swift Concert Tickets
Image courtesy of Ticketmaster: Are you Ready For It?…
It is absolutely unexpected to be able to hear an album someone has written and sung seemingly about your life. Taylor’s new album Reputation is so relatable. To me, it is about a journey through a battle with being the kind, forgiving person you were always taught to be and growing up and realising that, if you are going to keep any part of yourself, that is not always the way to be. Those who take advantage of your good naure to mistreat you are why we can’t have nice things. As a result, you cange in a way that keeps you safe. Yes, people will talk (even more if you’re Taylor Swift) but it’s about doing what keeps you safe and sane.
The music in this album is something never before heard from Taylor. With new life experiences comes a new sound. It’s fair to say in this album that Taylor has xperimented with her music more than ever before and it has paid off. It would be incredible to see her in concert. Again, at £132 for the most ideal seats (as close to the main stage, as possible) and £62 for the cheapest tickets, I’m going to put this in the unrealistic category. If I can’t afford these, I don’t see how anyone I know who may or may not get me anything for Christmas this year would be able to. Even if they could, that is a lot to spend on one person. I would be over the moon for 23rd June tickets but also being realistic. These can still stay on the list though. after all, this is a Christmas “wish”list.
6. Harry Potter And The Cursed Child Tickets
Image courtesy of Harry Potter The Play London: Accio magical theatre experience!
The world J.K. Rowling has created is one I find comfort in at the best of times and of course, the worst times, which is when one needs it most. Harry Potter is definitely if not THE, then, ONE of my favourite film series. It covers so many themes that are so key to my life: the tricky topic of friendship, courage and changes.
As I still have not managed to see the stage play, set during the epilogue Nineteen Years Later, it would be simply magical to get to see it. I’m also intrigued as to how the magic comes alive on stage and do not need another repeat of that time I had to block my ears on the coach to avoid spoilers. However, tickets are really tricky to get and quite pricey too, so maybe another unrealistic Christmas gift? Maybe a copy of Harry Potter Et La Pierre Philosophale, instead. Or… um… Accio Harry Potter And The Cursed Child tickets!
7. Care
Last but not least, this is the best gift I could receive all Christmas. It’s been a tricky few years. People are not always as they seem. You’re left having to pick up the pieces of your broken heart, again, again, again, that someone else damaged. For this reason, this Christmas, I want to be surrounded by those who truly care and getting even one Christmas message shall make my day. To be remembered by one person is all a person needs, sometimes. To know that you are cared for and that your care is looked after and not lackadaisically thrown around is extremely heart-warming and more than anyone could wish for.
Time Made Of Strawberries - Un Temps De Fraises 