As another year comes to an end, many people begin to think about their new year resolutions, but how many of us actually stick to them?

The same-old eating healthy and giving up chocolate, when we all know after a week or so you’re indulging in a ‘cheat’ day as a congratulations for doing so well, that soon turns into a ‘cheat’ week, month, year… Oh, it’s nothing to feel bad about! But I thought why make new year resolutions when instead you can use this time to look back on the year and think about what you are grateful for, and what you can take into the new year with you.

I spend a lot of the year away from home, so coming back to my hometown really allows me to appreciate everything and everyone in my life. So here are the things I am most grateful for at this time of year

1) My family, best friends, and home.

Throughout the year I am away from my favourite place in the whole world; home.

I won’t lie, it can get pretty lonely being away from my closest friends and family throughout the year.

But coming home for Christmas and being reunited with my family and friends really lifts my spirits, and I am forever grateful to have such wonderful people in my life

There is something so special about coming home and watching Christmas films with your favourite people. With all the little lights on, and your favourite snacks, it is so warming and content to be sat there with such special people, why on earth would you not be grateful for that! But coming home for Christmas and being reunited with my family and friends really lifts my spirits, and I am forever grateful to have such wonderful people in my life

My family are always here supporting me and making sure we are all happy, and my friends are always there no matter what the problem.

They are the people that are SO worth having in your life.

This season once again brings us all together, and despite being with them every year, I couldn’t be more grateful than to have some quality time with them after being away for months.

As you go into the new year, always remember those who are truly there for you. If you have had a rough year, if you have been going through some problems, or if you have felt isolated, then remember to turn to your close friends and family. They are the people that have been there for you since you were little and will remain there for you forever.

2) Memories

Your first dance show.

Your first school picture (which looking back was not good…)

That embarrassing photo meeting Santa Claus and being too scared to look at him, or even take the present- nope, just me?

It’s so funny looking back at that picture of me standing away from every child’s Christmas hero, it’s not like a big man, with a bushy beard, wearing a funny red outfit is anything to be frightened of…

There is something so warming about flicking through old pictures in an album. It’s a feeling you can’t get from looking at pictures on your phone. A photo album holds memories from many years ago, that celebrated milestones in our early life.

When I think of the things I am most grateful for, memories first come to mind because I get to look back at everything I have done and who I was with this past year. It really portrays to me what exactly and who exactly made this year so special.

When it comes to gift-giving one of my favourite presents to give is a framed memory, so it can sit on our favourite person’s bedside cabinet, work desk, or mantle piece and remain a perfectly captured memory to look at.

As you go into the new year, remember the memories you have already made and how important it is to make new memories. Don’t just keep the pictures on your phone, scrapbook them in an album or frame them, so when the time comes you can flick through the pages of memories with warmth and happiness.

3) Everything that makes Christmas so special

I am especially grateful for this holiday because of everything that makes it so special.

For me, Christmas is the perfect excuse to stock up on my favourite chocolate! It is very obvious I’m one of those people that really does not take their lactose intolerance seriously, so far I have made two batches of chocolate shortbread and brownies!

Being able to eat as much as you want without any regret or judgement is also what makes Christmas so special! All the weeks that build up to Christmas make it totally acceptable to eat advent calendar chocolate for breakfast, and to eat as many pigs and blankets because c’mon, it’s the only time of year you have them!

The excitement over pulling the crackers at dinner and arguing over what colour you want and what little toys to swap. Those little spinning plastic tops have always been a favourite, but I never turned down all of the other cracker presents the older relatives would give to you, despite the fact they would most likely be lost by the next day.

And of course, the famous cracker jokes make Christmas so special, they may make you roll your eyes but of course you’re secretly amused by them, they’re tradition!

And lastly, the gift of giving is what makes Christmas so special. I am so grateful to have such lovely friends and family that put a lot of thought into the presents they are giving, and I really enjoy doing the same back. Seeing their big smile and excitement is what makes me so grateful for this holiday as I get to see my loved ones happy.