WTF….

It’s not until you are in a position to notice, that you notice how fucked up the whole Christmas thing is; the list of what’s wrong with it is endless.

• Spending crap loads that people don’t have on things that most don’t need.
• Lying to children about about a big fat chap who makes and delivers all the presents for no cost (adding to the above dysfunction) except for the currency of blackmail; be good or else.
• Overindulging on food and drink that you don’t need, but feel the need to buy and at least try to consume before it goes out of date or you grow sick of it and chuck it out.
• Falling out with family (at some point) either because expectations were too high or too much alcohol was consumed or you just couldn’t keep your mouth shut any longer.

OK, I’m depressing myself now. I love Christmas actually, I love the warm feeling it brings in your heart. I love getting the present just right, so I see that look of surprise on my loved ones’ faces. I love the cooking, the creation of a great meal accompanied by a fantastic wine, the smells, the flavours. the log fire and the Christmas tunes.

I’ve learned to step back from most of the commercial aspect of Christmas and concentrate on the family and the love. It took me a while and it’s only possible now, with the amazing partner I have who totally supports the concept of ‘just enough’. Just enough to make it special, not too much as to make it fake, false and sickening. She is what I am most thankful for at Christmas… I hope she knows it.