Atime of joywe all need

Christmas this year will be aweird one. For many of us striking a celebratory tonewill be challenging, if not impossible or perhaps even inappropriate. For others, the silly season will be the best way to say sayonara to a year that brought misery to many.

I fall somewhere in the middle of the Christmas joy vs bah humbug spectrum. I know that I’ll be counting my blessings for having happy, healthy children and awider family group soon to all be together again, a job, a home and, of course, a beautiful country to live in.

But there will be moments where I feel a tightness in my chest, because I know, too, that each passing Christmas is one lesswe all have together, and that somany people are doing it tough.

In the meantime, the Christmas decorations are down from the loft, the fairy lights are waiting to be strung, and soon we’ll be laughing at the dog in her silly Santa suit and trying to stop her from eating candy canes.

If 2020 has shown us anything it’s that our homes are more important than ever and I’m going to make the most of Christmas in mine. I’m going to say ‘‘yes’’ to advent calendar treats and Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer every morning before school, ‘‘no’’ to Grinch-esque grumpy moods as a result of too much to do, ‘‘yes’’ to baking Christmas cookies and lighting seasonal candles and, ‘‘hell yes’’ to spreading as much joy as I can. Heaven knows we all need it.

I’m excited to be bringing this Homed to readers of The Dominion Post and The Southland Times for the first time this month. I hope you’ll join readers of The Press in looking forward to it each month.

My hope for you all this year is that Christmas is whatever you need it to be, whether that’s silly paper hats and turkey, or just a hug from your nearest and dearest.

Meri Kirihimete!