Hands up, who’s got the tree up already? Mine will be going up at the weekend and I’m totally happy with that fact.
What the heck, I’m delighted.
Scrooge and The Grinch may be great movies but they’re no friends of mine. I love the tinsel and the trimmings.
I love it all.
Even on an average year I like to squeeze as much into Christmas as I possibly can and my festive binges usually start on the first weekend in December.
My son’s birthday is at the end of this month so once that’s been celebrated (he’s 18 this year, how did that happen?), the boxes come down from the loft and the merriment begins.
Mr Bublé croons away while I crack open the sloe gin and we all get together to reminisce about who made what Christmas decoration back in primary school.
My youngest always puts the very old, and slightly faded, Angel on the top of the tree.
And I know that this year he won’t need a ladder or a lift to reach the top.
Because in among all the traditions, things change.
Some of us get taller, we all get older, and hopefully a little wiser.
And this year I feel I’ve got a lot more grateful.
Fuzzy
Yes, 2020 has been a bit of a write off and most of us are wishing Christmas be here so that we can get on and welcome in the new year.
But maybe we need to do what we did in Christmases past. We need to slow down. Maybe we need to reign things in and take stock.
Usually about now I’d be browsing the shops in the warm fuzzy glow of the Christmas lights. I’d be visiting Christmas markets, warmed by mulled wine and mince pies, and as a family we’d be starting the celebrations early with friends coming over.
I’d be planning my trip up north to spend time visiting family.
I’d be totally spent (money included) before Christmas Eve and running on empty as the new year begins.
But that’s not to be this year. Even if I could go out I’m not sure I’d want too. The hustle and bustle doesn’t hold the same appeal. It just doesn’t feel right.
So although I can’t go to Christmas this year, I’m happy to bring Christmas to me.
It might be coming a little earlier than usual but it’s a smaller, quieter, more homemade Christmas.
And this year that feels just about right..
Rachel is founder Gossip Girl Gang, a networking group for women in business in and around the borough
