Festive, fun and feverish

I LOVE Christmas.

Childhood memories of an abundance of presents and company.  Every second year with the extended famil(ies) in an extravaganza that stretched from early morning to early evening – and sometimes beyond.  Santa, Marnie’s tree (My Dad’s Mum) with cousins and aunties and presents spilling all over the place, Grandma’s for lunch with my Mum’s side, the full feast with Turkey, Pork, Ham, and a plum pudding for dessert with brandy sauce butter sauce and coins wrapped in foil tucked at the bottom of the bowl.  Another tree with presents exchanged again, and rolling off in the early evening to Aunty Jude’s house for a catch up every other year or so.

When we were Hobart-bound, the party came to us, Mum compensating for the lack of family with a vast array of homemade treats, and the complete Christmas feast for four. Our own tree fearing to topple for the presents crammed under from over the Tasman, delivered in boxes and unpacked with glee.  Oh the temptation to poke was cruel.

These days, we have splintered off somewhat.  Cousins have families of their own, new generational mixes have forged smaller get togethers and new traditions.  My head is still filled with the glamorous memories of my childhood, and I seem to not be able to do that yet.

We made Christmas cards this year, but I havn’t written or sent them.

I have shopped and wrapped, and not made much for presents this year.  It will have to do.

Our tree is sporting all the decorations we have in the box (with the exception of tinsel) in a ‘white-trash’ extravaganza courtesy of Miss Z – who is sporadically redecorating on a whim.  Removing ornaments that take her fancy, and grouping them in the palms of her hands to be tucked back in on a branch – balancing precariously.  Hilariously kitch.

I am missing my Grandma, and feel apprehensive of this first year without her.  She has always been such a big part of Christmas for me, and the call from my Mum yesterday to say that she had found a present for each of the kids bought by her before her passing made my eyes swim again.  It is bittersweet, news of a present from across time like this.  Dear lady.

Today I have been making a ‘Charlie’ doll, a companion for Miss Z’s ‘Lola’ for my son – who has enjoyed watching it come together.  Miss Z got Lola for Christmas last year and the little Mr was more than a little green.  It will be good to close that circle for him.  He is enjoying (bizarrely) how long it is taking me…

Tomorrow will be social, with some catch-ups and some cooking planned, Christmas Eve will be cooking again for my contribution to Christmas Day, and the day – will be fun absolutely.  I really can’t wait.

I wish you a Happy Christmas.  I hope you will be spending it with someone you love, or at the very least with some good chocolate.  Much love and peaceful good wishes from here.

ps – don’t forget to leave a comment by the 30th if you’d like to play