Are you ready for Christmas yet? (Just don’t let Pat hear you)
On the December 3, someone, who should have known better, asked me: ‘Are you ready for Christmas?’ I can't remember what I said but I’ve a pretty good idea what I muttered under my breath!
On December 14, I received a card asking the same question. Twice is enough! Let there not be a third time! Though in ’normal times’, people would ask all of the time! Bah Humbug!
Today when I was visiting one of my favourite shops, named after a country; for some unknown reason I said to the unsuspecting assistant: ‘If anyone else asks me if I'm ready for Christmas, I will feel like punching them!’ To which he replied: ‘How hard?!’ to which I replied: ‘Very!’
Of course I wouldn't go around punching anyone but come on, let's get real.
Christmas for many, is a day on which to eat and drink throughout the day, way too much of all of the amazing food available everywhere, followed by 'blobbing out' on the settee, hopefully anticipating some good TV. So how long does it take to get the shopping in for that? Not long!
And this year, those of us who bother with things like cards and small gifts, really haven't any excuse not 'to be ready', seeing as a large chunk of us haven’t been able to do much else due to the fact that so many or our normal activities have been cancelled; so, folks: no excuses!
So please! No more 'Are you ready?’
This comes wishing all News staff and readers a Happy Christmas time, doing whatever you choose to do in these very different and difficult times for so many.
And here’s hoping, very much, we can look forward to some better news and a return to some form of normality in 2021.
Pat Huxtable, Nettlestone Road, Southsea