Monday 22 December 2014

Nearly there


The papers and the internet are awash at the moment with words of wisdom on why Christmas is so awful: the queues, the excess, Black Friday, Cyber Monday and new kid on the block Panic Saturday. Just as much has been written about why Christmas is brilliant: the giving and receiving of gifts, the socialising and the spiritual aspects.

I have sympathy with elements of both camps. I hate cooking, for instance, but I love a well-heeled mince pie, and I don’t enjoy shopping but love wrapping presents. Then, of course, there is ample opportunity for one of my favourite pastimes: writing lists.

But one of the best things about the festive season is that we have implicit permission to do things that we don’t do at any other time of the year – and I don’t only mean kissing secret crushes under the mistletoe. For me, it means ignoring the clock, sleeping until I wake and going to bed when I’m tired; and eating when I’m hungry, whether or not it is an official mealtime. It means watching cheesy films and TV specials without feeling guilty; playing boardgames and cards with my children, even though they’re both in their twenties, just because it’s fun and no one has to worry about being cool at Christmas; and putting our heads together over a jumbo crossword or 1,000-piece jigsaw. I’m talking about reading and listening to the radio, adding to a scrapbook or rediscovering the joys of a colouring book.

Most of all, though, I love being able to sit and do nothing, even if just for an hour or so. At this time of year, instead of rushing around in the bright lights of retail, we should be turning inwards and if not exactly hibernating at least slowing down and making time for reflection and contemplation.

Oh, and for Quality Street.

6 comments:

  1. Love this post! You've nailed it for me as well... except for the 1000 piece puzzles(smile). It get cross-eyed.

    Merry Christmas, Julia! I'm so glad I met you this year.

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    1. We've finished the puzzle, Dixie. I will post a pic.

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  2. I love your list of positive Christmas items - with you all the way! Have a great Christmas break.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Rosemary. Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.

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  3. I agree with all these things, Julie but I especially like that the fact that you don't have to 'appear cool' over Christmas - I can happily play charades without feeling silly.

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    1. Wendy, I can now report that we spent many happy hours over Christmas playing 'Ankh Morpork', a game based on Terry P's Discworld novels. Great fun.

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