This is a question I am asked on a regular basis for the last wee while.

It puzzles me.

What exactly is expected of me that I should be “set” for Christmas? It’s not like a wedding where cars have to be arranged, florists hounded and speeches to be written. Christmas is just a day in the year that logistically is little different from any other day. The only real difference is the expectations that people apply to it.

The big thing seems to be food. For some reason, we are supposed to have a dinner of turkey and ham with roast potatoes and sprouts. Why? Most people I ask say that they don’t particularly like turkey but they insist on having it anyway. It tends to be somewhat dry and buying a full bird means the family is condemned to many days of turkey in various forms and recipes. So why subject yourself to buying a bird you don’t like, is difficult to cook properly and people only want because it is “traditional”? It makes no sense.

Yes, I have a couple of things to do before the Big Day. I have to collect medications as the pharmacy is inconsiderate enough to close for a few days, and get some cash out of the local ATM. That’s it. I might stick up the tree and decorate it in case the Grandkids call. The tree is the only tradition that I have nearly kept over the years – it is to be erected on Christmas Eve and lasts for the twelve days, and the twelve days only, before it is taken down again. The little lights decorating the living room just have to be switched on. I put them up five or six years ago and never bothered taking them down again.

Christmas at The Manor shall be a quiet calm day. Ironically we shall be tucking into turkey but only because Wiltshire Farms have laid on a feast in our freezer. There is no harm I suppose in suffering a bit for the day that’s in it? I might even have more than one Jameson’s in the course of the day.

All the above may incline people to think I am a Scrooge that hates Christmas. I don’t hate it at all. There is nothing wrong in having a day of peace and quiet with possibly a visit from the family or friends. There is indeed nothing wrong in decorating a house with a tree and lights. They brighten the place up on dark winter nights and are to be welcomed. There is even nothing wrong in wishing people a Happy Christmas though it does imply that you don’t care what happens to them on the other 364 days of the year.

Happy Christmas everyone.

And Happy Every Other 364 Days too.

Ho Ho Ho.