Do I smell Christmas

It has been a tough autumn for me and because of such I have let my blog slip so major apologies. I  have to admit today is the hardest day of the year for me as it is the anniversary of my granddads passing and I tend not to start accept its Christmas till this day has past.

That said most of the presents this year are already bought and food planned, so its not as if I dissociate myself from Christmas till the 6th of December, but I refuse to put up decorations etc till then. I always find the irony in the fact my Granddad actually hung on till the 6th St Nicholas day, as he well knew I was well read up on the feasts of Christmas and this was always important to me. Now this may sound quite morose to people but to me it is some form of comfort as this man brought me up whilst my mum worked. So although I find it hard even now to accept he is gone I know he would also see the irony in the date.

Anyway it has given me food for thought this year. Without going into to detail I realise this year has been hard not just for me, but it seems for my closest friends. So much so it has reiterated a childhood bond in one case. But I do think all of us will happily wave 2013 goodbye, but not without some decent celebrating from us all. Again I can't say too much as I believe at least one of them reads this, but this year Christmas presents have a theme to them, and I have managed to spoil all. Not in a money sense necessarily  but in a thought and time sense. Whilst doing this and on one of my scarce days out, I sat outside my favourite coffee chain drinking a much loved coffee and talking to mum. We are both what I would say as students of the human nature, and we tend to watch people and their behaviour. Almost simultaneously we both said where is everyone. You see we were in the height of the lunchtime rush and there just wasn't the people around with the normal hassle of pre Christmas shopping. We shrugged it off until we had to return the week later and it was the same.

It was on those trips it hit home just hard life has become for most people. Christmas mealy highlights the fact that the money just isn't around for people to be trivial with it. So when I head off to the frost fair along with some borrowed children, the magic of Christmas is going to be a lot more innocent and less material than the Christmas' of my past. Sure I will be providing pocket money but not a bottomless pot of cash. In doing this I actually feel some form of release as I believe there will be a stronger focus on fun and less on want. Despite the fact that at the moment I am struggling to walk due to the fact I had a fall earlier this week, I am excited to get there. It has revived the childhood feeling of anticipation and hope.

Although I am going to be held back from doing the mad things of the past I have regained the feeling of Christmas. The idea of going to the market for the fresh fruit and veg just before the big day, was a nightmare last year as crutches and crowds don't mix, but this year I am going with one of my oldest friends and it has become an event to look forward to.  By stripping out the materialistic side of the season it has become more about time spent in the company of family and friends, and it is refreshing.. I am not saying I am a saint  and the mound of present wrapping I have to do it is beyond a joke , in fact it is so bad I need an elf or two to help. But that's because anyone who knows me knows my idea of wrapping is a bit dire. But this year I am going to restore a long forgotten custom that involves present wrapping, a locked room and a bottle of wine.

So what I am trying to say is this year has been hard on most people, and rather than be depressed about what limits you have, look back at the memories of times past and what simple customs you could restore and pass on. Whether it be home made Christmas decorations or stocking fillers on a small budget competition. Start looking at the celebration through your inner child, or better still with people who need the celebration as much as you do. Yes Christmas is a time of giving, but there is no bigger gift than that of time. I speak from experience when I say an hour or two spent with a member of the older generation can be enlightening and fun. Or a coffee with a friend in need becomes the best girly time ever.

So whilst I accept there are obstacles for us all, there is also hope, and with that said some one I know mentioned coffee and homemade mince pies ( thank goodness for cars), so I am off to help test them.