I enjoyed reading your post ~ and in many ways we celebrate in the same way that you do.

We don’t stress about Christmas in our house at all. I just write a list, we shop ~ then we drop, and enjoy it! We don’t spend scads of money or feel obliged to make visits we don’t want to make. Our kids are grown up and have children of their own ~ so we all gather up for a special celebration meal (but not on christmas day) and it’s usually stress free and happy. If the food is not cooked well enough, or cooked too much, who cares! It’s the being together that’s important to us, nothing else matters.

I think people in general stress way too much about Christmas ~ and in doing so they forget the real meaning, or the meaning of it to them. It’s such a pity.

Christmas to me, is seeing my kids and grandkids and spending quality time with them. It’s about catching up with old friends by telephone or e-mail or cards. It’s also about spending time at home with P and the cats ~ just enjoying silly television programmes, or reading a good book, or having a nice long walk along the beach (all wrapped up warm). We enjoy traditional Christmas food, and a few extras, but on the whole we keep it simple. We don’t want more than that.

Have a great time, whatever you do. HAPPY CHRISTMAS from my house to yours.

Love Jan xx