Well, I am still resisting putting the heating on but I have nearly used all of the logs. The fire has been used most evenings, for two reasons: 1 it takes the edge off the chill in the air and 2, I love an open fire. I don’t know whether it is a childhood memory but it makes me feel nostalgic and feels great. The kids tend to pop in and join us watching TV when the fire is roaring, and that’s also a nice thing but, let’s be realistic, it’s probably because their rooms are cold and not because they want to spend time with us!
Having the fire lit also makes us realise that Christmas is getting closer and the pressure to get everything sorted is growing. We always say “Next year we are going to plan this better” but, we don’t. The next few weeks will consist of last-minute shopping, posting gifts, writing cards and general organisation of the house. A Tree to buy, position and decorate and stuff being put in boxes, stored in the loft, never to be seen again. It may sound like I am a bit of a Scrooge, but I actually like Christmas, well, most of it!
This year, I think, will be different for a lot of people due to everything that is going on in the world. With the cost of living going up and up, I have a feeling there will be a lot of difficult choices to make. If the heating is turned on, what do you cut back on? If you splash out on nice gifts for people, where do you claw the money back from? January is a long month and the bills don’t stop coming even if the money has gone.
The choices have to be balanced and rational, which is really difficult when the adverts are full of emotions, influence and Christmas spirit. The temptation to max the credit card builds up and we can overdo things. Having raised (and still raising) 4 of my own children and being involved with my 3 grandchildren, I’ve come to recognise that the gifts, and the money spent, really doesn’t matter or is soon forgotten. The experience of an open fire, watching a movie and cuddling up with the kids has always been the best part, and, created the best memories.
Toys get opened, food gets eaten but it’s the people around you that really make things special. Don’t get me wrong, I do like presents and being spoilt, but not if I have sleepless nights trying to figure out how to pay the bills. As a family, we set a cap on the amount we can spend on each other, just to make sure we don’t go mad or over-stretch ourselves. It takes the pressure off everyone and levels things out. No surprises with diamond rings or Rolex watches, no one feeling silly or being left out. It’s all about spending time together.
We will do our Christmas walk down the beach, even if the weather is bad, and I know the kids will moan at us and try and make excuses for not coming, but it will happen!
I hope the choices you make this year are balanced and rational. Don’t fall for the emotional blackmail on TV but think of the experience you are creating and the memories you are building. I can’t remember the presents my Mum and Dad gave me for Christmas but I do remember the cuddles, the laughs and the love they gave me – priceless and free and that’s what I want my family to remember about our Christmas days together (Walks included).