Christmas greetings?

 

Anybody who even remotely knows me knows that I love Christmas; the decorations, the songs, the films, the tv specials, the food, spending time with friends and family - the whole season is a joy to me...

This year though, I have to be honest, has proven to be a bit problematic. Fear not, I am not going to be all curmudgeonly and scrooge-like nor am I doing a "woe is me" post, it's just been a bit more chaotic than usual. Admittedly I currently have covid so this has dampened my Christmas spirit significantly, (even more so after only just getting over a sickness bug - I rarely get ill so catching two bugs in the same year is unheard of!). I am currently lying in bed as I type this, coughing and spluttering with an aching body, aching sinuses, a headache from hell and a general feeling of "ick". 

This chain of events has also hampered my usual routines and traditions; my 'Advent boards' (a Christmas advent calendar of sorts but with a large whiteboard in my front garden), had to be halted due to illness, unlikely to return now. I work in a school so as you can imagine Christmas time in a school is a festive time what with kids singing carols, decorations going up and general festivities going on so my absence from work has meant I am missing this vibe also, as well as not having that indescribable joy of getting in from work, from the cold to a lit up Christmas tree. 

Other than the illness issues, my own children are growing up fast so you may be forgiven for believing that this may be the root of my melancholy as the 'magic' has long gone - no more belief in elves or Father Christmas...but you would be wrong, I've accepted that things change as they get older and I've always loved Christmas regardless of my age, my children seem to have inherited that same admiration for yuletide. 

Some of you may know that I spent the last two Christmases filming personalised Santa videos for people, just to raise cash for charity and because it's something nice to do. I'm not "officially" doing that this year but I have planned to film a handful for friends after they asked me to so that should top up my cheer, once I have stopped dying - no child wants to see Father Christmas coughing his guts up and sweating profusely. So once I'm feeling better I shall film the few videos I've been asked to do which will also help me feel festive. 

I'm also reprising my Father Christmas role for the 13th of this month for a "Santa and Rudolph walk" which will be good as I'm essentially getting dragged around the town "ho ho ho-ing" whilst some lovely friends from work collect money for charity - I'm sure this will restore my Christmas spirit...as long as covid has shifted fully by then! 🤞

So, this brings us back to why I've felt different this year; I am a stickler for routines and traditions, my Christmas is planned out meticulously so that the day itself is perfect so the various speed bumps I've encountered this year has jeopardised those plans entirely. I had planned to meet friends this week which was all part of my festivities, etc. Thanks to this lurgy that all fell through - I had to cancel a Santa appearance this weekend due to it too, sigh!

However, (and here is the point to all of this waffle), this year I'm embracing the chaos! That's right, Christmas doesn't need to be perfect - what a revelation! Most years I suffer with anxiety with having to ensure it all goes to plan, this year though as all plans have gone out the window - zero anxiety! I've also had the privilege of seeing the true meaning of Christmas - kindness! My wife has made sure I'm ok, staying hydrated and reassuring me when I've been low and some very kind friends have helped immeasurably; helping us with the Christmas food shopping, dropping off supplies to me whilst I'm ill, checking up on me, etc. I'm lucky to know so many lovely people and although I've never been in a position to help others financially I would always help others whenever I can because, (at the risk of sounding cheesy), kindness is magic! 

THAT is the Christmas magic - kindness! 

I am an avid fan of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang and watch the Christmas special each year - this is only relevant because the plot is essentially Charlie Brown can't feel festive, he is desperate to find out what Christmas is about and at the end, (spoiler alert), he discovers it's his friends and loved ones that make Christmas special. This year I can relate entirely - so thank you people! 

Merry Christmas everyone and remember, don't stress out too much trying to achieve perfection, strive for kindness instead - it's a lot more enjoyable!