Well, that’s another Christmas gone. Was it as disappointing for everyone else as it was me? Don’t get me wrong, I’ve enjoyed spending time with family, taking a break and getting some lovely presents from friends, but this year hasn’t really felt like Christmas. Now I’m full, bored, and waiting for the rest of the world to get back to spinning so I can get spinning too.
I’m not a scrooge; I love Christmas. There’s nothing I enjoy more than walking in the crisp cold air, my cheeks stinging in the chill, past delightful smelling Christmas stalls, the classic beer-tent-and-crepe combo making my mouth water every time I pass. The present wrapping, for most, is a nightmare and another chore, but I revel in it; choosing the right paper, folding it neatly, wrapping it in ribbons and sticking little stars to it. Just the prospect of Christmas makes me giddy; there’s nothing like eating and drinking and sitting around for three days on the trot with good reason (almost).
But I think I’ve had too much on to really enjoy it this year, life and age are taking their toll and I’m becoming more pragmatic than ever. I decided against present buying this year and chose to give money to charity instead. No more buying gifts for the sake of being polite, which is a waste of my money and time and will probably not be appreciated when the receiver has to find room for it in an already bursting house. Also, with my sister’s imminent arrival of sprog, not much else has been talked or thought about, and activities are now picked on what she can physically manage. I feel like the biggest event is yet to come, and Christmas has been overshadowed by it; I’m full of nerves and excitement for February.
As a self-confessed workaholic this year’s break has been particularly difficult now that I’m working and trying to get my career on the right path - there’s emails to be sent, of which I’m waiting on replies, still, jobs to be applied for, articles to be written, research to be done. Sadly, however, as much as the motivation is there, my brain has also decided it’s also time to sit and eat and drink. Before I can get anything done I feel as though the grey matter could do with a cold bath and a kick around the house to wake up. Once it’s finished that last bottle of wine of course.
