I vary on how many Christmassy things I do. When the kids were younger they’d have stockings, presents, that kind of thing. We’d have a tree if I remembered or got round to it or could afford it, but if not, that was fine.
They always gave and received cards at primary school, but no one did it at secondary school.
We’ve never gone ice skating or to the panto or that kind of event, none of us have ever seen that as something worth making an effort for.
Dinner was whatever they wanted - anything from beans on toast to some proper cooked thing that they’d enjoyed recently. Plenty of mince pies though.
Decorations - yes if I got round to it, no if I didn’t. No one minded either way.
Now they’ve grown up and mostly left home, I’m looking forward to a Christmas alone, all by myself, lonely and sobbing into my dressing gown or as I prefer to call it, full control of the remote control and contents of the fridge. It will be bliss! As usual, the starring role will be given to the Radio Times and the red felt tip 🤣.
I’ve worked many Christmases and the thought of one just quietly enjoying it at home makes me happy.
All the stories about awful relatives make me shudder. There is no reason things have to be done a week on Tuesday because the diary says a week on Tuesday is the day to do it. You can do it a week on Thursday if you prefer, or three weeks on Monday. Or in four days time. When I hear about people making sure so-and-so is visited or brought back for a meal because ‘it’s cruel to leave them alone at this time of year’ I just can’t get past thinking ‘well if you were more consistent throughout the year they might not feel so alone on that one day’. Or ‘what’s wrong with calling shitty relatives out on their shitty behaviour?’ I’m happy to have low expectations and to let everyone know it’s a relaxed time for me.
What I absolutely love is the radio and television around Christmas. The Carols from Kings, the Festival of Nine Lessons, the Christmas specials, the Eastenders arguments around the dinner table (although whatever they do this year will never top what happened last year), and Radio 4 always seem to have some palate cleansing things to counteract everything, some plain and simple drama or serial. I think the radio and tv is the only thing I’d miss about Christmas to be honest.