Here we are approaching Christmas again, and I love it . I’m busy making my ‘to do’ list for buying gifts, baking, tree decorating, and generally making sure I don’t forget anything - I’m already nagging Hoss to check that everything is in the attic as expected, ready to get down as soon as December arrives .
And I’ve also got a few fun things booked, like visiting Santa with my grandson, and seeing the Nutcracker ballet at the London Colosseum (that’ll really put me in the mood). As always, I’m beyond excited the closer we get to the big day.
I’m not sure why, but this time of year always makes me feel a bit nostalgic. I get a sort of wistful joy, remembering what it was like when our boys were small; every Christmas Eve gathering for a party with extended family, and Hoss’ wonderful Mum presiding over the event. And then the chaos of Christmas day racing downstairs at the crack of dawn to see that Santa had been, and left sacks of presents for the boys.
I have to admit, that while I look back with fond memories of all those Christmasses past, I relish the Christmas present (no pun intended ). They were frantic and loud and brilliant fun; and grew bigger year on year as the next generation had babies of their own. The dining table creaked with an overload of festive food, and you couldn’t see the floor for presents and wrapping paper. And then there was - the noise! Of course I was younger then, and more able cope with the mayhem…
It's different now. Not better or worse – just different. Christmas has become a quieter affair; the ‘boys’ are in their thirties (so thankfully don’t wake us at the crack of dawn!). Daniel and Niamh will host Christmas Day. We’ll get to watch four year old Sebastian experience the magic of Christmas, followed by a fabulous lunch which I haven’t had to cook.. Hoss and I will have time to sit back and enjoy every precious moment of being with our wonderful family, at such a special time of year. It will be a time of new memories being created, and old memories being revisited.
