So I always do my Christmas shopping early. Get paid at the end of November and boom! Amazon orders a plenty. Off to the shops for some wrapping paper and by the time the first week of December is over, pretty much all of my shopping is done. I know, I’m that insufferable twat that does his shopping early and sits there all smug for the majority of December, safe in the knowledge that I’m ready for the big day. Also, it’s now December 23 and I’m writing about being smug about something that happened a couple of weeks ago, so I’m just rubbing it in really. I need not have mentioned it.
It will be a strange Christmas for the family this year for the obvious reason. Dad was very much the Master of Ceremonies at family events and there will be a Father shaped hole in proceedings. This will be immensely sad at a time when I suppose we’re meant to be joyous and celebrating capitalism… sorry Christmas. I do love this time of year. Not because of the celebrations, but more to do with the fact that work is shut for a week and I know that I’m not going to be needed for a period of like ten days. I can completely switch off from work. And I have a birthday just before Christmas, so I get two lots of presents within a short period of time! I’m actually a little too old now to be getting lots of presents, but I can dream of getting that train set.
Above on the left is a picture of Phoebe, my niece, at her first Christmas. It amused me that she was the same size as the present I had bought her. This year will be my nephew Elijah’s first Christmas. He’s bit older than Phoebe is in that photo so definitely no size comparisons going on this year. Above right is one Christmas where we had a barbeque on Christmas day. This was because we wanted to do something different (we always had a roasted bird on Boxing Day and all the trimmings) and to take the pressure off Mum from all the cooking. I used to love doing this, especially when everyone thought we were weird. Create your own traditions and don’t be daunted by those who belittle them. If they’re good for you and yours then that is what matters.
Christmas can be a joyous time of year. It can also be a hectic lonely time of year. Even when you’re surrounded by merriment and family, one can still feel alone. If you feel like you want to chat, send me an email at catchup@abridgedblog.co.uk and we can talk it out. Also the Samaritans are available and free to call, check them out here:
Merry Christmas lovely reader.
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