In November we traditionally go on a "Tinsel and Turkey" weekend at a Scout Hut on the outskirts of Bristol.

We arrive on the Saturday morning and pretend that it is Christmas Eve, we shop for little presents for each other, decorate the hall, make mince pies and do Christmas crafts. In the afternoon we put up the tree

and then we get dressed up and have a disco, followed by a late night Christmas movie with popcorn. Last year we enrolled some of our new Guides at the stroke of Midnight on our "Christmas Eve" by the light of the tree lights- it was really special.

We then put our socks out across the room in the hope that Father Christmas might visit, even if it is a month too early (he usually does, the clever man).

(A very clever man)

In the morning we open our "stockings" and then do some more crafts before the Guides' Chaplain visits and we have a Christmas Day service with carols. We then all help to cook and eat an enormous Xmas lunch before opening all of the presents that we have brought each other.

Our parents come in the afternoon and sample our Mince Pies (if there are any left!) and we generally play lots of party games.

Although it is a bit strange having Christmas in November it's also great fun and it gets you into that festive mood that much earlier too. Of course most of us are with our familes at Christmas so it also means that we can have a Guides' own Xmas with our friends!