Prospect of Christmas in the sun down under is leaving me cold

WE’RE going away for Christmas this year. After a few years of below par festivities due to family bereavements and sickness, not to mention the disappearance of Santa, we decided this year that a change is as good as a rest so we’re heading Down Under to stay with the Sister- In- Law and her Other Half.

It all sounds very exciting and we’re very lucky to have this opportunity, but I’ve discovered something about myself since we decided to change things up – I’m actually a creature of habit. I’m dreading the flight and the jetlag and even staying in someone else’s house for three weeks when I could be at home in front of a roaring fire in my jammies eating Heroes and the kids selection boxes.

I used to love change – the unexpectedness and the spontaneity, the not knowing what’s going to happen next. Now I crave routine and habit as if my life depends upon it. I keep walking down the sweet aisle in Tesco, gazing longingly at the festive tins of biscuits and chocolates and saying to myself, “no need to buy them this year.”

Nor will I need a sparkly dress to wear to my Christmas party or a new coat to wear to mass on Christmas Day. Now these are all things I usually give out about having to spend money on but now that I don’t have to, I want to.

Then there’s the Christmas Day Swim which I do everything in my power to get out of each year but end up being dragged in screaming by Himself and feel fantastic afterwards. This year I’ll be doing it in Byron Bay in 30 plus degree heat and no need for a hot whiskey afterwards! Kind of takes the fun out of it when it’s not torturous.

And it’s not just me that’s being difficult and intransigent. We nearly weren’t going at all when Himself found out the turkey was going to be cooked on the barbie and there may not be roast potatoes to accompany it.

“You can’t cook a feckin’ turkey on the barbie!” he raged at his sister who laughed and said, “That’s the least important part of the day.” Oh not to him it’s not. Not to him! Mark my words, there will be war over this turkey yet.

When I rang her to ask her was there a hairdresser nearby to book my Christmas blowdry, she burst out laughing. “A Christmas blowdry?! Are you serious? Nobody gets a blowdry for Christmas day over here. We’ll be at the beach!”

We may well be at the beach but I will have my Christmas blowdry and a full face of festive makeup on, even if I am wearing a swimming togs.

Some changes are just a step too far!