Blink and you’ll miss it

Why is it that the run up to Christmas begins in about August and we all spend so much time and effort and energy and money on preparing for it, and before you know it, you’re sat at home, not wanting to even hear the word turkey for another year and then it’s all over!

It’s weird to think that it’s all done and dusted for another year and I’ve been back at work for two days. I think working in retail can take the magic out of Christmas if you let it because generally, you’ve got far less time off than other people who are spending lots of time with their families, probably to the extent that they are sick of being with them. The good thing about having so little time off is that you learn to treasure the time you do get with the people you love. Jason and I just had Christmas Day together and although it flew by in the blink of an eye, it was lovely spending such quality time with him. We always start Christmas Day with a cheeky White Russian cocktail and this year we had a light breakfast of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon on toast which was enough to line the stomach without stealing your appetite away from a good roast.

Having worked 8 days in a row, J was in no hurry to get up too early so we headed downstairs about 9.30 to open our presents. I’ve found the safest way to deal with the challenge of present buying is to get instructions as to what people want and be sure to let them know what you would like. Maybe it’s all part of getting older, but I know what I like and I like what I know, so surprise presents rarely win me over and I’m no actress in pretending to be happy with something I’d rather not have been given. Having given a list of books, CDs, toiletries etc to J he couldn’t go too far wrong and between these and pressies from work and some money from mum and dad, I was a very happy little camper.

Little did I know that my beloved had risked a surprise present and boy did he do well! A string of freshwater pearls which I am absolutely thrilled with. I don’t own any pearls but I like to compare them to George Clooney, they’ll always be in style and never lose their appeal.

There were more presents to open after we arrived at the inlaws as it was their turn to host this year as my sister in law and her husband were down from Scotland so all in all, we did very well on the present front. I have to give a shout out to my colleague Rob for buying Jason the face mats which gave us all a good laugh and made for an excellent new photo of J and I. I can see why they’ve been so popular this year although they don’t half nip at your nose!

Lovely presents received, delicious food consumed, a good game of Cards Against Humanity played and it was time for me to head home to feed the cats and chill for the evening in readiness of returning to work on Boxing Day while I left Jason with his folks and sister to spend the night with them and enjoy most of Boxing Day with them before meeting me after work. And that takes me back to my starting point, you have to make the most of spending time with the people you love while you can, a little time is better than no time.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and have cherished spending time with your own  families. I’m sure the next Christmas run up will be here again before you know it and we’ll all start wondering where the year went. X