Yuletide Cheer

Now that the festive season is upon us, I feel I should spread a little Yuletide cheer for those still scroogin' about this snowy mid-December (you know who you are). I have travelled back to the Shire for a few weeks, where in just 70 hours I have reverted back to awkward-teenagerdom. I pile my washing high for the chore-fairy to sort, I cook nothing, I leave my room in a mess, and I sit by the fire all evening, nice and toasty. In a word, it is wonderful. There is something delicious about being next to a roaring log fire, while sleet pounds against the windows. Christmastime is a season which I enter into with gusto. I love the songs, the cheesy television, the chestnuts, the general food excess, the last-minute shopping (although I am usually finished by November), and of course, the lovely little family 'disagreements'. When I have fed my Grandad too much rum, and there are no more noisette triangles left, merriness quickly dissipates in murderous stares and pointed silences. However, should this event occur this year, I have been squirreling rations away into my room, where I can happily while away a good few hours snaffling orange cremes. Although I won't get to spend Christmas Day with my lovely boyfriend, I can selfishly spend hours on the telephone to him, and having stepfamilies unequivocally means at least two huuuugggeeeee meals. Indeed, this year, December 27th is the day for the great big family barbecue, to commemorate the new 'pond' at my Dad's house. Instead of the traditional sprouts and turkey, we are all going to slowly freeze while my Dad flips burgers. I think this may be a new Christmas diet, losing pounds through hypothermia. We have a trampoline too, which I may edge towards in an attempt to get the blood flowing. Nevertheless, even if the kebabs burn and the salad wilts, and on the big day itself, if I miss the noisette triangles altogether, I will smile all day and sing to the rooftops. Merry Christmas!