I haven't really taken much notice of the Christmas displays and
decorations in the shops until today. I met with my good friend and fellow southerner ( see Stroppy southern strumpets), and 'chief cheerer upper' Lynn, for an early lunch, some good chat, much supportive, 'Oh I know!'s and 'No! Really!'s from both of us. After a glass of house red, when we stumbled, quite literally in my case, across two aisle fulls (eye fulls) of glitz, glitter and much festive ho ho ho arrays of festooned garlands, cards, wrap and anything and everything you don't want or need, to make your day special or not.
Indeed I bought some suitable stocking fillers, a couple of 'commercial' Advent calenders, I just cannot find any 'real' ones anymore, and well hey they do have chocolate in them after all, and other gifts to add to the now overflowing area at the top of our wardrobe. ( Yes I am almost done!)
We spent a wonderfully relaxing afternoon actually, finishing it off with the
'must do' trip around TK Maxx, followed by a warm the cockles latte. We parted and I walked home warmed more by the friendship and sisterhood, from which I get to feel like me for a unpressurised, stress free couple of hours.
The reason I call this post Bah humbug is, by the time I got my coat off and settled in on the couch to catch up with the family, I became acutely aware of an atmosphere brewing. I ignored the warning of the snarling tummy and ploughed on, gave the kids the warm seasonal gloves l'd found them and told them I had bought their advents. The excitement was telling in their voices and as they began to chat, speculate and talk generally about the christmas period, as only teenagers can ... my daughter gets almost sick with excitement, my son too but less so he is more contained.
A whiff of humbug pervaded the room and I don't mean the classic mint flavour.
Oh dear I thought no, don't start please.
But Mr Grumpy began his furtive murmurings and said he could well do without it, we had done it to death and we should get far away or even better cancel it. I protested - unsurprisingly for those who know me, I never know when to shut up - All I want is to be in our home, with the family and dog and have a quiet relaxing day. But apparently I don't do relaxing on the day and everyone walks around on eggshells. I can smell the egg rot! I do Christmas well, Mr Grumpy doesn't. I wondered if this was for effect, as this comes every year just like Christmas, it happens. The kids love it and although a few weeks ago they said they would have a curry for Christmas day in deference to Mr G wanting a change, I thought to postpone the turkey to Boxing day, after all I've had my way for over 30 years, now they tell me as we get nearer they want the traditional day and so said all of us! (well three of us).
Even though the kids are now 16 and 14 they ARE still kids.
Yes I agree its all commercial twaddle out there and uber overkill with parents apparently going seriously into hock for zillions of gifts and ££ presents, that IS the wrong message.
We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in this country, though I have experienced it when I lived in the states and it is the spirit, the essence of that time which I try and emulate. I have created traditions for our festive period. We read story books, light candles, share our thanks in our togetherness.
Apparently I have to drag My G into the Christmas period scratching and clawing all the way. I did suggest he went and stayed with his mother who does Garbo every year. Oh dear watch this space, I don't have a good feeling about this...
A contender for post of the day at Authorblog, thanks again for the mention David!
