| In our house we celebrate Christmas from the | | | | and she does not bake Christmas food. In fact, |
| end of November to the end of the first week in | | | | she says she hates Christmas. She considers it a |
| January, with shameless abandon. | | | | waste of time and money and actively refuses to |
| The Christmas tree is hauled out on December | | | | celebrate it. How sad. |
| 1st and decorated with just about every tacky | | | | What a lot of fun this lady is missing out on. Next |
| bauble we ever bought right back to when we | | | | Saturday we are going to the house of other |
| were kids and great garlands of flowers, hoops of | | | | fans a couple with a young child, to sample the |
| holly and evergreen and festive ribbons are | | | | mince pies of several contributors and try some |
| pasted onto every available surface. We tend to | | | | mulled wine recipes and generally have a good |
| decorate early because we make quite an effort | | | | time. There is no question that huge amounts of |
| which would be wasted for just a few days. At | | | | money will be spent, and in fact the entire event |
| least if we start on December 1st there is plenty | | | | is just an excuse for good friends to get together |
| of time to enjoy the results of our efforts! | | | | and catch up. |
| We have things that sing, things that flash and | | | | We do not buy cartloads of gifts at Christmas. |
| things that go ho-ho if you pass them in the night. | | | | We do, however, exchange a small number of |
| We have a monorail of little Santa carriages that | | | | gifts within the family, mostly practical items. Our |
| zoom around the Christmas tree and a star with | | | | tree is never laden with extravagant presents but |
| flashing lights on top of the tree. | | | | there are always little gifts thoughtfully wrapped |
| Whatever else we are, we are certainly not party | | | | and some time is spent in choosing the right thing |
| poopers. Some people, however, are not quite so | | | | for the right person. Even the dog gets something |
| enthusiastic over it and some are downright | | | | and manages to unwrap it himself. It is all about |
| miserable. I was saddened recently to learn that a | | | | the music, the decorations, the lights, and the |
| friend of ours does not decorate a tree, does not | | | | food. |
| put a wreath of her door, she does not give gifts | | | | |