
Life & blog update: December 2024…was a very enjoyable month. December is my favourite month because I really love all the festive activities. Plus I finally had a proper 2 weeks holiday as well. I celebrated my 41th birthday by going to see a musical with my husband and then we spent a long weekend in Budapest with kids just before Christmas.
As usually we visited all the local Christmas markets and indulged in fritule and mulled wine. We took our kids ice-skating too. At home we listened to Christmas music, baked Christmas cookies, made gingerbread house and watched Christmas movies. Of course, there were a couple of board game nights and play-dates too.
I took my son to the theater for the first time ever to see the adaptation of Charles Dickinson’s A Christmas carol. It was magical! That wasn’t my only foray into the theater in December. My husband and I saw musical Sunset Boulevard on my birthday which was great.
Budapest family trip was the icing on December cake. We spent three days exploring Budapest on foot, by river boat, tram and underground. Kids loved beautiful and fun kids’ playgrounds, the tiny garden train at Vorosmarty Christmas market and the Ferris wheel. I showed them the most important sights in Budapest such as the parliament building, St. Stephen’s basilica, Heroes’ square and Budim castle area. My husband and I enjoyed all the local delicacies at the Christmas markets and I bought a new Christmas tree ornament. Also, I now have a new addition to my Christmas markets mugs collection too. It even snowed a bit on our last day in Budapest. On our return trip we stopped in Varaždin, Croatia for lunch and a short stroll around the city center. We discovered a gorgeous, small Christmas town for kids.
Christmas was spent at home with family. After big Christmas lunch we played new board games that Santa Clause left under the Christmas tree for our kids. In the evening we visited a cousin and kids played together.
New Year’s was celebrated at friends’ place. There were 6 kids in total and believe it or not there wasn’t an utter chaos and kids played nicely together for most of the time. We all watched fireworks and cheered to 2025. I hope it brings us health, love and fulfillment.

On the blogging front, 2024 was my most successful blogging year so far. I’ve been blogging since 2015 and 2017 used to be my best year in regards to the number of views/visitors. Back then I posted more than 70 posts and engaged a lot with other bloggers. In 2024 I published 40 posts and the increase in traffic is due to my old posts not my most recent posts. I don’t know why but search engines seem to show my blog more than before. Thank you for reading my blog and following my adventures! And thank you to all who participated in my Advent photo challenge on Instagram.
How was your December? How did you celebrate New Year’s?
Published posts in December
Happy January!
Happy New Year!
xoxox
Tanja

I am sure that you had the best time of the year. Looking forward for your next month’s post and pray it the coming year brings more joy to your life.
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Thanks Anna
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Wonderful city Budapest! awesome. interesting your blog going a similar way to mine increased traffic due to old posts not new!
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Yes, more traffic for old posts. I just hope it is not AI ripping us off lol
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Christmas markets in Budapest sound lovely.
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It was a great, festive trip
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Glad you had such a lovely festive period and also great to see that 2024 was your best blogging year yet! Hopefully 2025 will be even better.
I’m glad you got to enjoy Budapest in December, I’m sure it’s a magical time of year to visit the city!
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Thanks Jason. Happy New Year!
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What a beautiful month December was for you with family and festive joys. Happy belated birthday! 🙂
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Thanks xoxo Have a great January!
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So cool that you are travelling as a family! 💙 Lovely pics, too!
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Thanks❤
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I am glad you had a great December. The holiday season is always magical, isn’t it? You can see everyone’s creativity come out with their holiday decorations, the winter fashions, and the cheerful giving that many participate in. It’s the one month of the year that I feel like the masses come out and help one another. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thanks Aiva xoxo all the best to you and yours in 2025!
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Happy New Year! It seems like December was a great and festive month for you and your family, and I wish al of you a lot of happiness and health for the new year! Also congrats for a successful blogging year!
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Thanks Juliette! All the best to you and your family in 2025!
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Nice to hear you had a nice December! A trip to Budapest in the winter sounds magical. Happy belated birthday as well! Wishing you a wobderful 2025 ahead with more happiness and adventures 😊
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Thanks Rebecca!All the best to you & yours in 2025 too!
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I’m so pleased you enjoyed the Christmas festivities. Visiting Budapest around Christmas is lovely as we did the same thing a few years ago. Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year Marion!
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I love those markets
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Sounds like you had a wonderful December! Happy belated birthday 🙂
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Thank you🙂
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Lovely! Budapest in winter sounds magical.
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Thanks. Budapest has wonderful Christmas markets
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Congrats Tanja. Sounds like while it is cold outside, you have more time to blog! Well done. Christmas and New Year sounded cosy. I would love to get to Budapest one day.
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Thanks Amanda. Budapest is a beautiful city in any season
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