The jingly music is already in the shops and although we have no TV, the news channels Hubby tunes into are running the Christmas ads. So much is ‘in yer face’ it makes some of us wish for hibernation.
Don’t get me wrong, we enjoy Christmas, but what annoys us more than anything is the commericalism and profiteering.
Last year I had a problem finding turkey steaks for our Christmas dinner. Now that there is no family to feed or expected visitors, cooking a whole bird just isn’t practical for the two of us. When I did eventually find a tray of three, the price was ridiculous, so we had chicken. It looks like the same thing is going to happen now as tens of thousands of turkeys are to be culled due to an outbreak of bird flu. If I remember correctly, that was the excuse for shortages last year.
Before Hubby and I got together, I would be preparing for Christmas in the way of gifts from August. Money was tight so I spread the cost as best I could, but still managed to overspend.
The company I worked for gave everyone a turkey so that saved a few pounds, and Christmas Eve would see me preparing veg for a meal for at least a dozen on Christmas Day. There was our family of four, foster kid and boyfriend, the Ex-wife and fiance, partner’s mother and her husband, plus HER sister and husband at HER invitation to our house. No help offered for washing up either, but it was fun to watch excited and impatient hands ripping paper and screams of delight when Santa had brought what they wanted, except one year when £300 of stocking fillers plus gifts were carelessly tossed on the pile with the comment ‘where are we going to put all this junk?’
Out of the mouths of babes, except this was no babe, but the thorn in my side of a blue-eyed ‘angel’ used to getting his own way and always playing his divorced parents one off against the other.
To add insult to injury, I’d spent a week’s wages on a gold chain for my partner as he did not want one with a St Christopher or Crucifix on it, and not only didn’t see him open it, but received no recognition or thanks. When asked if he liked it, he said it was OK, and I could buy the cross to go on it for his birthday. He didn’t get it.
You may ask why I was still there, as the original plan was to leave in December 1988. It was nothing to do with Christmas, but loyalty, however misplaced, to a guy who had been accused of something he hadn’t done, and I felt I had to clear his name first. No-one had any idea of what was to follow in a few months, and although I’m not exactly pleased with myself for the way I left, I have never regretted my decision.
Hubby and I have always had terrific Christmases, from our penniless first to the present day. We put the dekkies up and a tree, and have a traditional Christmas dinner. It’s going to be a little different this year, but we shall still have a lovely day, just the two of us.
Photo: our Christmas Tree last year.
pensitivity101 
Enjoy your Christmas, how you want to do it.
They are always good Liz. Hope you’re OK.
I’m ok thanks.
Pity about the turkey! – but I’m sure you’ll have a great Christmas. 🙂
Ah, I got some last month when I saw it, and my pigs in blankets, so I have everything for Christmas dinner, except perhaps pre cooked roast potatoes, which Hubby can’t have anyway.
Well done. 😀
I think I have everything now, and if I’ve forgotten something, then it couldn’t have been important in the first place.
haha Exactly! 🙂
Your description of the expensive, yet not appreciated Christmas gifts rings true with me. I often bought hubby pricey stuff he never turned out to really want. Finally towards the end of his life, he got a bottle (big bottle) of Crown Royal (his favorite liquor), and maybe some underwear. I stopped cooking special meals on Christmas too, because he simply did not celebrate the day. It was another day to him. That was hard to take, as my family (nuclear) despite being so crusty with each other all year; would always have amazing Christmas mornings with the joy and magic one expects (well which I expected). After my father and mother died, all semblence of joy at Christmas died too. My siblings have their own families and I’m not really welcome at their homes, plus I always buy the exact wrong thing for my sisters in law, so I’ve stopped even trying. Plus I can’t afford it. These days? I stay in my house, maybe bake some muffins or make French toast for me and my fur child (whomever it is..this year Ziggy), enjoy the small things I’ve gotten for myself, and endure the day. I tend to get a bit maudlin because I really miss those old magical Christmas days. But we all have to grow up sometime I suppose. It’s all in taking care of oneself, in my opinion (in your case, having a great day between you two), and getting through.
I remember magical Christmas mornings, and family celebrations. I miss them, but Hubby and I would visit the family Christmas Eve, then shut ourselves away for two or three days. These days, family here in the UK have no time for me, and that’s OK as the feeling’s mutual.
Partner had stressed he didn’t want a crucifix hence the chunky expensive chain (I could have got one with attachment for less than £20, but ended up paying over £60, I was such a bloody fool) then to say I could get the cross for his birthday…….. well second word was ‘off’. I always spent a lot on the kids, my own money too as I was trying to make ends meet on his wages. Being self employed, if he didn’t work, he didn’t get paid, and the firm closed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year. It wasn’t all bad though. There were some good times, and my fostering came out of it, which was rewarding enough in itself.
I’m glad you can make this christmas special Di! It sounds like it will be awesome! ❤
Our Christmases are always good Carol Anne. It will seem strange not putting down a special dinner for Maggie.
Bittersweet memories… Glad that this Christmas you will have the joy of each other’s company (and some turkey and pigs in a blanket)!
Hi Val, our Christmases are always good. Being together is what matters.