I thought I’d better interrupt my usual chronological posting schedule because I realised that, with only 5 days to go until Father Christmas pays a visit (SANTAAAAA! Santa’s coming!!!!! I know him!!) that I better get my skates on and hurry up if I want to actually write about Christmas and why I love it so much.
This year, I’ll be spending Christmas at home in the UK with my family and introducing Scott to the delights of an English Christmas (read: eating until you feel sick, falling asleep in front of Harry Potter on the TV and getting into family arguments over the answers to Trivial Pursuit).
To be honest, even though I have been to some amazing places this year, I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Christmas anywhere else. I’m pretty traditional like that.
I love spending Christmas somewhere cold (and sometimes snowy) as opposed to being in the sun, which wouldn’t feel Christmassy at all to me. I also love the festive spirit in the UK for the whole month of December. Here I’m talking about how you can justify pretty much anything for the whole month and pass it off “because it’s Christmas”.
“Why don’t you have a third helping of dessert? Go on, it’s Christmas!”
“I know it’s only 10am and I’m already drinking, but’s it’s Christmas!”
You get the idea.
This year is slightly different to the others though. Firstly, having lugged a ridiculously big backpack and daypack around with me all year, I’m desperately in need of a spa break (hint hint to anyone looking to get me something).
Secondly, I’m normally totally organised when it comes to the purchasing and wrapping of Christmas presents, whereas this year I’m frantically still running around trying to buy things for everyone.
Thirdly, I’ll probably only get to visit my beloved Manchester Christmas Markets twice, as opposed to the obligatory twice a week I used to visit them when I worked in the city centre. I guess it’s a good thing as my bratwurst and mulled wine consumption has gone down, but not so good for your festive cheer.
But overall I’m just looking forward to eating some amazing food, drinking lots and spending time with family, while circling the shows I want to watch in the Christmas edition of the Radio Times with a ballpoint pen, only to forget to watch them because I’m taking a nap.
As with every year, I’m sure there’ll be family tensions and the inevitable boredom of the Christmas TV scheduling, shopping sales and the weather.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And if anyone should decide they want to buy me some spa treatments (cough, cough) to help a girl rejuvenate before another year of exciting travels, then I certainly wouldn’t say no.
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