‘AWAY in a Manger’ fluted around the entrance to Kendal Asda today, as a choir of primary school children treated the shoppers to a magical repertoire of Christmas favourites. It made a delightful change from frustrating cry of something unusual in the bagging area. Yes, it’s that time of year which many of us enjoy and others genuinely don’t.
My oldest brother hates Christmas. Well, that may be a BIT strong, but it’s definitely not his favourite time of year. He doesn’t like all the fuss, the over-indulgence, the potential for family rows, the heightened pressure to ‘be jolly’ and the feeling of being on ‘best behaviour’ on the day. So much so, that he seldom comes home over the festive season, preferring to stay in Menorca, where he’s lived for over 25 years.
I, on the other hand, absolutely LOVE Christmas. I love the shops all decorated with bright lights and naff decorations, even the endless Christmas songs ricocheting around the shopping malls. I love decking the tree with a cornucopia of decorations, all of which have a special place in my heart. I love getting all the food together and realising I don’t have enough room in the freezer, yet again.
To those who say, ‘Oh, I don’t want anything’ I say, ‘Bah humbug’, because the giving and receiving of presents is a special thing, like inviting people over for a meal. It shows care and a generous spirit. It’s NOT to do with the price of the gift, it’s to do with the expression of warmth that giving brings. The Three Wise Men brought gifts to the Baby Jesus and we didn’t hear Mary saying, ‘Oh no thanks, we don’t want any myrrh.’ Those gifts were presumably received graciously if a little bemusedly.
I love giving my son and his girlfriend Christmas stockings even though they’re well into their twenties. I mean, you’re never too old to get a wee clementine, a bag of dodgy chocolate coins (what do they make them from?) and a few unbreakable nuts. I love preparing the Christmas Dinner and popping the bubbly way too early. I love corralling Alex’s Dad to peel the veg and lay the table before Aunty Beryl and Uncle John arrive. I even love the stress of the kitchen as it gets near to crunch time, the turkey isn’t cooked yet and I’ve forgotten the Pigs in Blankets. As long as the potatoes are perfectly roasted, all will be fine. I love setting fire to the Christmas Pudding which only Uncle John will eat and forcing down just one more wafffffer thin mint, before exploding in front of the TV.
To my brother in Spain, I send lots of love, wish he was here and hope he’s not feeling too Grinch-like. For those of you who are on your own, grieving the loss of a loved one, working over the holiday season or away from home, I send extra-special love and blessings. To those of other faiths or who celebrate different festivals, I send warm salutations. To those of you who love Christmas as much as I do, have a quirkilicious one and to all of you, may 2020 be a truly stellar year for one and all.
Zoë Dawes is a Life Coach and Tarot Reader with a love for all things Christmassy and lemon meringue pie.
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