‘I’m attempting to put some joy back into our hearts’
An adventure in self-sufficiency
EVERYONE knows I love Christmas. Most people also know I dislike Christmas arriving too early in our shops because for me it spoils the magic. In our house, we have an annual rhythm dictated largely by working in education. Our presents were gradually bought, but not wrapped until Christmas eve. Our tree and outside lights hastily put up after the second week of December (due to lack of time) although this depended on the frenzy called “end of term”. When you’ve been through carols, the Nativity story and making obligatory cards for nearly 30 years, enthusiasm wanes a little.
However, this year has been the bleakest and blackest of times and after a brief discussion, we decided that we are going to have all our decorations operational by December 1. In fact, I’ve amassed bits and pieces, contemplated colour schemes and have started rearranging my furniture to accommodate Christmas trees.
I’ve even sprayed my old fir cones ready for homemade table decorations and infused my new fir cones with Christmas spice.
I’m determined that this Christmas will be the brightest, most spectacular event even if social distancing forces us to celebrate Christmas Day in a tent in the garden, barbeque our turkey and have my mum wrapped in thermal blankets.
This feeling of Christmas cheer is spreading. I’m seeing lots of houses putting up their Christmas lights as they take down their giant Halloween cobwebs.
I’ve spotted wreaths adorning front doors, trees sparkling in front windows and fairy lights creeping into gardens. I believe we all want to have something to look forward to as this year has been chronic on so many levels.
Also, style guru Kelly Hoppen has declared we should begin our Yuletide decorating when we “feel the need to do so” rather than wait until nearer the big day. A thought echoed by some county councils across the land who are actively encouraging residents to “get into the Christmas spirit” in November and to light up the streets.
National magazines are showing many of our soap stars and even Joan Collins getting into the spirit of the season putting decorations up. However, I wouldn’t recommend you attempt to compete with Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright who have splashed a lot of cash and now have a gigantic tree, enormous candy canes and more lights than Las Vegas in their home.
With weddings cancelled, a second lockdown and the threat of a restricted Christmas, I can understand why the memories of Christmas past and the prospect of a dire Christmas present is spurring people on to create a wonderful, joyous atmosphere both in and out of their homes.
Even if you don’t celebrate Christmas or maybe not be in a financial position to “go all out”, I beg you to put up some decorations or even a single decoration in your window - to put light in our hearts, kill the darkness of this year and help us hope for a Christmas with our loved ones.