Christmas is heralded as a time for joy, celebration, and cheer, but it also brings with it the potential for overindulgence, excess, and, for some, a fair share of awkward family situations.

Each year, consumerism seems to reach new heights, inundating us with an overwhelming array of gift choices. At The C Word, we're no strangers to this phenomenon, having even divided our own Christmas Gift Guide this year into two parts (see Part 1 and Part 2). While the act of giving and receiving gifts is a wonderful experience, it's crucial not to overlook a significant aspect of the festive season—the opportunity to give back to oneself.

Embracing the Gift of Self-Love

Giving back to yourself takes different forms for different people. It doesn't always require a financial transaction; sometimes, it's as simple as carving out time in your day to focus on what brings you happiness. Personally, I achieve this through meditation, but everyone's journey is unique. If you're inclined to be more generous with your finances, consider treating yourself to something special this Christmas. It could be a luxurious massage, a tasty box of chocolates, or the simple pleasure of immersing yourself in a good book. For those exploring their sensuality, our advent calendar recommendation awaits!

Our Editor, Mary, recently engaged in a conversation with SheSpot co-founders Holly and Kalila, delving into the importance of sexual wellness, self-understanding, and looking at what our body needs. This discussion couldn't be timelier, as SheSpot has collaborated with Killing Kittens to present the ultimate in 12 days of sensuality—the Come Closer Calendar. Move over traditional chocolate-filled advent calendars; it's time to embrace daily moments of self-love.

In a world dominated by technology, busy workdays, and mental health concerns, prioritising self-love has never been more critical. So, why not indulge in a bit (or a lot) of pleasure?

Whether it's a leisurely soak in the bath with Mirror Water bath soaks, sipping on an eco-friendly whisky tonic crafted by Nc’Nean, creating your signature scent with Experimental Perfume Club, or going down to sexy down with SheSpot and Killing Kittens, now is the time to heed Beverley Knight's words, "Come as you are, don't be shy."

This Christmas, own your relationship with yourself.

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Founder of The C Word Magazine, Emily King is passionate about art, travel, culture, cinema, fashion, sports, dating, feminism and a whole lot more. Find her on Instagram @emlrking or freelancing at emnco.uk to help clients with marketing, brand strategy and paid media planning.