Well I am sure everyone is starting to get into the Christmas Spirit by now. I have pretty much completed my shopping and posted all my overseas mail.
Now it's time to decide what will be on the menu in our house on Christmas Day. My daughter likes a very traditional Christmas meal, complete with the turkey, ham, Pavlova and fresh fruit. My husband likes steam pudding but I am thinking of trying to encourage the family towards a slightly lighter meal this year. Every year we seem to eat too much and then end up falling asleep in the afternoon.
Most of us seem to do this manic buying of food, well at least I do, and it often hangs around in the pantry until Easter. After a few days of gorging ourselves the novelty of all the rich food soon wears off.
This year has been quite a difficult year for many people, but let's hope that this Christmas everyone can take the time to relax and unwind a bit and catch up with family and friends.
For some people like myself, it's especially hard at Christmas to have family living overseas. We miss them all greatly. I used to love the family Christmases my parents had. There was always a big crowd of people and my mother really loved all the fuss and preparation that went into the day. Even the singing of Christmas carols around the piano was special. There was plenty of good cheer and lots of laughter.
Nowadays our Christmas Day is a much quieter affair and unfortunately as my husband works in the retail sector he has to work Boxing Day. This is sign of the times I guess, but I have to say I really did like the days when shops were closed on Boxing Day. The days of the Boxing Day picnic at the beach with the children I recall fondly, along with the leftover food from Christmas Day and the occasional dose of sunburn.
My husband and I are lucky enough to have one daughter, son-in-law and three year old grandson living with us. Children are what Christmas is all about and I love looking at their wide-eyed wonder when they open their gifts. This is the first year our grandson really seems to understand Christmas so it will indeed be special.
We are most fortunate to have some lovely neighbours so will also spend time with them on Christmas Eve. We tend to have ‘open house' and it's lovely to have friends pop in for drinks and nibbles.
I love all the trimmings that come with Christmas, especially all the special baking and all the knick-knack's we adorn our house with. We always have a special tree, which my daughter loves to decorate.
Every Christmas I seem to eat too much, and then I vow to go on a diet from New Year. I have promised myself I will do the same this year. Let's hope I stick with the plan for longer than I did this year.
Whatever your plans are for the festive season, I hope your Christmas is special. I also hope that 2013 is everything you want it to be and you all keep well.
I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a bright and prosperous New Year – and a safe and happy holiday if you are going away.
Enjoy wrapping up your Christmas parcels.
By Kay Rayner