Who knew that being organised felt so good?
If you look back at your life, it’s surprising how some things, behaviours, have changed and others are still exactly the same decade after decade. This time of year has been a challenge for me for most of my life.
The reason is Christmas presents. The issue I, and my family has, is that we don’t give each other any ‘present’ clues, lists or guidance of any sort.
This is the opposite of my wife’s family who explicitly asks each other for different things. A clear and concise discussion takes place. Items are agreed upon and confirmed. There is price balancing so people spend the same amount.
One year we all simply exchanged the same value gift cards.
Whatever is agreed upon is exchanged with thanks, gratitude and even a bit of faux surprise.
As with so many families, my culture is different.
It is, also, of course correct. In line with the biblical basis for Christmas, Mary and Joseph had no idea what they were getting from the wise men.
I appreciate that over the many years it has become easier to predict what gifts to exchange as there are only so many versions of gold, frankincense and myrrh that you can buy from the high street.
The Bible story would be quite different if it was perfume, gloves and a shirt in a plastic packet from Marks & Spencer.
Due to my family's ingrained belief system, I still continue to refuse any offers of guidance.
There have been many occasions when I have found myself standing in Gunwharf Quays waiting for spiritual inspiration to fall upon me.
The pressure can be immense.
However, as the years have gone on, I haven’t been mentally idle. I now try to pick up on any clues or hints given in the months before – I jot them on my phone or something.
I used to wait, always believing better, more impressive, inspirational ideas were round the corner.
Now it’s different. This is the first year of my life when I have dealt with the most pressured part of Christmas before it’s even December!
Yes, that’s right, I’ve already got my wife’s present.
It’s not a remarkable gift. Not a ground breaker. It is, however, purchased and in the bag.
I’ll get a couple of ‘bolt-on’ bonus, low-key additions and I’m done.
For those who have never ventured into this world of advanced present buying, this is my first time ever, and it’s amazing.
It’s as if a weight has been removed from my shoulders. I think I’m walking differently. It feels ever so slightly easier to breathe. There’s a spring in my step.
It may not be visible to the human eye but certainly I can feel it.
I’ve already hidden the gift in the cupboard!
This is the challenge I mentioned at the beginning of the story.
It’s not possible to look back at life and believe we could have done something differently – that was all we could have done then.
If only I’d known how awesome being organised is. No wonder organised people are baffled by the last-minute chaos crew. On reflection, the wise men were organised – they didn’t swing into Bethlehem at the last minute, they had a plan.
I’ve changed and I like it.
The only fly in the ointment is that I used some Christmas savings without mentioning it.
Also, over a coffee, Mrs N asked for something directly for her Christmas present, something she would really like and would never get herself.
I advised that it was too late and she was now getting something she neither asked for nor wanted.
It's Christmas after all – a time of tradition. Some things may take a while longer to change...
I advised that it was too late and she was now getting something she neither asked for nor wanted