Winter might just be around the corner, but who needs a log fire when you can get a cosy and warm feeling inside from the thought of all the events to come?

To start the festive season, Christmas lights were switched on in Cardiff on Tuesday, 15 November and in Penarth on Sunday, 20 November at 3pm. On the same day, from 11am until 4pm.

If you are stuck for ideas of what to get for your nearest and dearest this Christmas, let Cardiff Christmas Market tempt you with original and hand made work from 10 November until 23 December.

For a truly green Christmas, go to the Green Fair at the National Waterfront Museum on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 November from 10am. Packed full with environmentally- friendly, organic, fair trade or recycled goodies, it is green, green all the way!

For one day only, Christmas Market at Depot on Williams Way, Curran Embankment on Sunday, 4 December from 10:30am. Only a short walk along Penarth Roath from Cardiff Central Station. Leave the car at home and save money on car park fees.

Grab a dose of outdoor Christmas cheer on Sunday, 11 December at Llantwit Major beach with the whole family by taking a Wild Sea Dip! They call it The Christmas shiver! I wonder why…?!

There is nothing like a bit of carol singing to get you in the mood for the festive season! Join in for a sing-a-long at the Pen-rhiw Chapel at St Fagans National Museum of History on 17 and 18 December from 11am until 4pm. There’ll be lots of traditional tunes and a few more contemporary Christmas classics.

The Christmas season would not be complete without a visit to Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland. Open from 15 November until 8 January.

Life is the flower for which love is the honey!

For all of you in love, don’t forget that Wednesday, 25 January is St Dwynwen’s Day, the patron saint of lovers in Wales and the Welsh equivalent of St Valentine’s Day, which will be celebrated as always on Tuesday, 14 February 2023.

And on a final note, I would like to highlight the work carried out by The Woodland Trust who celebrate this year their 50th birthday. Five decades of standing up for woods, trees and wildlife. When the festive period is over, please don’t forget to recycle or re-plant your tree. Together, let’s help reduce our carbon footprint and create a greener Christmas.

Joyeux Noël and Bonne Année!