If You Ask Me: Not All Christmases

Best wishes to all who celebrate Christmas – but don’t be judgemental towards those who choose not to, says Flo Whitaker

The promotional emails started arriving in October, promising, ‘The Cosiest Christmas Ever!’ and ‘Our Thirty-Step Countdown to a Stress-Free Christmas!'

THIRTY?! I felt a wave of anxiety just reading it – but, with regard to this house, the marketing wizards are barking up a forest of wrong trees. If you want decorations, presents and festive meals, I regret you’re at the wrong address. Christmas doesn’t happen here. 

Anyone who grew up in a topsy-turvy household will instantly recognise those still- resonant, uneasy memories of childhood Christmases. An already chaotic environment made even more so as assorted, unreliable ‘grown-ups’ embarked on wobbly circumnavigations around endless parties, which inevitably resulted in beans on toast for Christmas dinner. 

Worst still, ironically, was being taken in by well-intentioned, kindly neighbours and presented with hastily-wrapped gifts and proper sit-down dinners, which only increased the longing for normality. Our family were considered ‘gloriously eccentric’ and ‘bohemian’ – but children crave routine and ordinariness. As an adult, I tried celebrating Christmas, although I never really managed it and eventually gave up, concluding that Christmas is what other people do. 

However, to end on a cheerier note; I’m not a totally lost cause, as I enjoy sending and receiving a few Christmas cards. Emails and texts are super-efficient, but are soon deleted and forgotten, whereas a physical card with a friendly handwritten message packs an emotional punch that far outweighs its flimsy construction.

So, dear reader, (I always assume there’s just one of you) have a peaceful Christmas – and may the New Year treat you kindly.