It is certainly a very different Christmas this year with pared back but no less meaningful festive trimmings. Christmas lights have been hung up since early November, a bit too early in any other year, rather heart warming in this one. A giant Elf has been doing the rounds in our home town, popping up in different daily locations, getting local businesses involved to spread festive cheer. A dazzling Santa’s post box appeared and even though #1, 2 and 3 sent separate letters, they received one single reply to all of them. Would it even be possible to visit Father Christmas this year? Turns out there are creative geniuses thinking up ways to keep the spirit of Christmas alive and well during these strange times. And I for one, am most pleased that I have been to see a Rocking Santa. I’m not quite sure what #1, 2 and 3 really made of him but why ever not!
After nine months of online meetings that can seriously drag, I’ve just discovered that adding a bottle of bubbles and some Warnicks can suddenly make four hours go by. Time doesn’t just move faster in the depths of some public house it appears. It’s certainly not how we would want to spent this time of year. A time for social gatherings, eating and drinking and being very merry. I’ve missed all that. The joy of putting on something sparkly and being out after dark is just so decadent. Also I have missed the joy of planning family gatherings and get togethers with friends to do more of the eating and drinking and being very merry. The need to keep cupboards full for impromptu guests and afternoon drinks that linger into the late evening, just in case. The cupboards are still full and if the festive booze gets whittled down then it’s quite obvious where it’s gone this year!
I still can’t figure out why Christmas has been one big rush with all the usual festivities more or less cancelled. I’ve got a few things to wrap up after writing this. Maybes it’s because I do things like quadruple the Christmas baking instead of just doubling it and wondering why the pastry is just rolling and rolling out so that I’ve ended up with an assortment of 55 tarts!
Pandemic or no pandemic, Christmas Eve is the domain of excited children anticipating something magical is about to happen. I really felt quite emotional as they went about the business of getting Christmas ready. The reindeer food, the drinks and snacks for Father Christmas and a little note to thank him for his visit. This evening we read The Polar Express which is one of my favourite Christmas books. Partly because we have the audio CD and when #1 was much younger, we’d listen to it in the car regardless of the season. Partly because I do still believe. And as much as this year has been exhausting, for us and for the children, and how daily it feels like what we can and can’t do is ever changing and not always in our favour, I am looking forward to joyful moments with my family and working out how we can see our family and friends in the ways that we can. I’m looking forward to taking a few days to step back, as we look ahead to a brighter new year. However you may be celebrating, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a belief that we will be sparkling together with a full glass in hand not too far away. xx
The here and now and a bit of way back then 