Every year I tell myself that I’m going to be organised and not leave everything until the last minute. Every year I rush around like a headless chicken during the last week before Christmas. Would I never learn?
We’ll, it looks as if I have! This year I am sitting in front of our fire sipping a gin and tonic. All presents have been wrapped and distributed where necessary. Christmas cards were posted on time or delivered.
So what was my secret?
Perhaps the awful weather we’ve had over the last few weeks could have helped? It’s been unbelievably cold and then, equally, unbelievably wet. I haven’t been able to get out every day and exercise. It’s not the time of year to work in the garden. It’s currently a swamp. I don’t enjoy shopping but it beats sitting in the house staring out at a grey and grotty sky spewing it’s surplus water on already sodden earth!
Another reason could be my sister and her husband visiting from Australia. We needed to spread my parents’ ashes which had been denied us in 2020. My father, while still at school, used to help light beacons in Devon during the Second World War. This was where he wanted us to spread his ashes. My mother wanted her ashes to be mixed with his so they were both spread in a little wood near the top of Fire Beacon hill.
My sister loves to shop. This is how we whiled away many hours. I could get ideas for presents so used this time productively. We got caught up in the crowds at the Black Friday sales and managed to get some amazing bargains! Shopping with someone who makes the experience fun is a bonus! I actually had time to meander around and soon ticked names off my list!
So, next year could be back to my usual last minute panic if the weather behaves and I don’t have a shopping buddy. That’s another worry for another day! I’m enjoying this feeling of satisfaction and relief! I can sit back with my family on Christmas Day and watch everyone open their gifts knowing that I put thought and effort into buying and wrapping them. I’ll try and carry that thought through to next year!
So, to all my lovely family and friends I wish you a blessed and happy Christmas and the very best for 2023! Let’s all hope and pray that it will be a good one!
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Jenny Burrell 