What is it about early November? Long nights, short daylight hours, shops full of Christmas decorations, (confusingly next to Hallowe'en displays last week) and the inevitable glut of autumn reality shows on the tv. Oh and I forgot the adverts, yes the new M 'n S one is very good and when will the John Lewis weepy be shown in response to Peter Kay's hilarious high kicks? But am already fed up of Christmas. It is not my favourite time of year and yet I can't exactly put my finger on the reason why not.
I hate the endless searching for online presents (to save time) but it never does, the reviewing of the Christmas card list (what is the point of sending cards to people you never ever see or have anything in common with?), the writing of the dreadful Round Robin letter (and trying to convince myself that if you personally head each one and then sign, it somehow becomes personal, which it doesn't), the buying of the tree (an absolute waste of money, why not just go and throw £30 into the bin?), the putting up of the same decorations each year in the same place, the budget for each present (which never includes the little extras you think you should add).....and so on.
As I read this back I just sound like Mrs. Scrooge. I hate the pressure of sorting out Xmas Day, who is going to eat where and with whom, what time should we eat, what time will guests arrive..and leave. When should we open presents? We had steaks 2 years ago, very good but somehow felt a bit cheated so back to turkey and all the trimmings. Do you know how long it takes to prepare all the trimmings? Do we need starters? How much wine? Do we really need cheese? Am exhausted just thinking about it...and I haven't even mentioned the vegetarians, bless them.
What time can I put on my pyjamas and go to bed??
The thing is I can't really think of an alternative to the day. Would I really miss it if I didn't do it? Would I feel guilty, upset, cross?
I think I would like to find out, just once.
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