It's the most wonderful time of the year!

It's often said here that 'no one does Christmas quite like QM does Christmas', so we caught up with the girls to find out their favourite things about this special time of year at QM...

The Many Christmas Trees of QM...

We're sure they get bigger every year! The tree of all trees is to be found at the bottom of Red Stairs but you'll also find enormous real trees in Centenary Foyer, The Wenlock Library, St Margaret's Chapel and in front of Escrick Hall, to name but a few. That's not to mention the lovingly placed decorations and trees in the boarding houses. Izzie tells us that her favourite memory of Christmas at QM is decorating the tree by putting a picture of every girl's face on individual baubles - the Head Girl was of course the star at the top of the tree!

The Christmas Treats...

If the rest of the year is anything to go by, the Christmas food at QM is sure to please. Lily said "I love the festive atmosphere at the Christmas lunches! It is always such fun." The special Christmas Dinner held in The Wenlock Library just for the UVI girls is an eagerly anticipated event in their calendar and QM's fabulous Catering Team always make it an evening for them to remember with festive culinary creations. Let's not forget the tasty mince pies, gingerbread snowmen and Christmas puds that are on offer at the end of term, not to mention the mugs upon mugs of hot chocolate which are consumed around the Red House Aga and in Le Café as the nights draw in...

The Sound of Christmas...

Music is central to life at QM but the Carol Concert and other musical celebrations at Christmastime really are a highlight. Natascha told us "Performing in the Services and Concerts is amazing and gets me in the Christmas spirit - I love it every year!" To help get you in the Christmas spirit, enjoy every minute of this very festive and contemporary performance of Chilcott's Twelve Days of Christmas from the QM Chamber Choir, with singers Euan Williamson and Jonathan Pacey from the internationally renowned vocal ensemble, Voces8...

Signs that Christmas is on its Way...

The annual Christmas Card Competition is fast becoming a tradition at QM and the judging gets harder for Head, Mrs Baillie, every year as the entries are so impressive. This year she chose a winning card from each year group and one from the staff; the cards are printed and sent with best wishes to the QM Family and Old Margaretians. This year, our Charity Council also made packs containing each winning card and sold nearly 900 cards to raise money for local charity, Kyra Women's Project. Here are the winning designs...

And finally, when the trunks start appearing on Cloaks Corridor, its a sure sign that Christmas is on its way...

Happy Christmas!