I had a lovely festive season, although, it included ups and downs, which makes my experience similar to many others I hear about. There is such pressure to have a picture perfect time that sometimes we lose sight of what it's all about and what the most important things in life really are..
One thing that I treasure each year are traditions shared with family and friends. As a child, it was all about the presents but as I get older, it gradually seems to change. I found myself at a church service after the invite of a local friend and even though I'm not religious, I went along. I was deeply touched by the community feel and the opening live music playing of the first carol, with my friend's son playing acoustic guitar, I couldn't help welling up at the words the minister spoke about sending a prayer of love and peace to all those in the world who need it most. I literally could not stop the tears from falling. My friend pointed out afterwards that this could have been down to the fact that I hadn't seen any concerts yet, as my daughters have now left school. I used to love watching all the school plays and the feel good warm glow they gave. Maybe going to church at this time of year, will give me the same feeling. A new tradition to look forward to.
Existing traditions include meeting up with our old neighbours, who are firm family friends and going to feed the reindeer, then going for a pub lunch and back to their house for bubbles and opening gifts to one another. We used to have a limit of £5 a present but it's gone up with inflation to £10 now. We started doing this before our daughters were even born, taking our neighbour's son to feed the reindeer when he was a toddler. Then our three girls came along and we have done it every year since.
On Christmas Day, we see my parents and my sister and family every other year at one of our houses. My sister goes to her in-laws alternate years, so we have a 'Top Ten' day with our own makeshift Christmas Day, which we did this year at my mum and dad's house on 27th December. Christmas morning used to begin at 5am opening stockings and presents but now we get away with an 8am start. There's no time for a fancy breakfast as it's unwrapping all the way, sipping a glass of fizz and eating chocolate Santas until the guests arrive when we pop open another bottle. This year my husband cooked and he went all out making a vegan pie, a vegetarian pie and roast turkey with all the trimmings. We ate at 4.30p and, a bit squiffy.
On Boxing Day, we drive across London to visit my husband's side of the family and enjoy a buffet and more presents and catching up with relatives. I always eat far too much from the buffet table and every year my nieces and I stand right next to it, nibbling everything in sight. I drive home so I deduce that the calories I would have spent drinking can be used up on pork pies instead.
Usually, we go to watch a musical at the theatre with family friends on the lead up to Christmas. This year, we went to see School of Rock on the 28th December, which was good fun. We have been doing this tradition for ten years now. We ate at the Wild Food Cafe in Neal's Yard beforehand and mooched around the shops. The lights looked so pretty in Covent Garden.
On New Year's Eve, we usually host a party and this year was fancy dress - Childhood Dream Job. I dressed up as a nurse and looked like Miranda in Call the Midwife. Everyone brings a dish and a bottle and we dance around the lounge to our favourite music. At midnight, Jools Holland goes in and we count in the new year and drink a glass of champagne, kiss, hug and be merry. Happy 2019 to you all!
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