All I wanted for Christmas
Having had an ambivalent relationship with the Festive Period for many years – I’ve only recently learned how to truly enjoy the cooking, the jollifications and the present giving – I have often said that all I wanted for Christmas is to be happy. And we have had a truly wonderful Christmas and New Year. As, I hope, did you.
While tidying, mindful of wrappings and boxes to recycle, I reflected on the presents we received: many books, blankets and things to eat: confectionery, biscuits, seasonal jams, oatcakes… Not a techno gadget in sight, and no new clothes either. Instead, perhaps mindful of the climate crisis, rising fuel prices and much murmuring about supply chain problems, we now have enough blankets and scarves to keep warm should the heating go off, enough books to read until next year, and comfort food galore.
Is what we have received as a family an indication of a more general shifting of priorities across society? I do hope so.
While I would not go quite as far as to suggest that presents should only be for children, I do occasionally find the sheer avalanche of goods on offer a little daunting. So I’m heartened to notice a real up-turn in the fortunes of ‘pre-loved’ clothing sellers and the like; and relieved to notice that – finally! – more plastic packaging than ever – plastic-festooned boxes of chocolate, anyone? – are now being presented in recyclable packaging, but perhaps it’s simply that books, blankets and biscuits will always be welcome here.
I find such a clutch of items immensely reassuring and kindly – indeed, I need never worry, this year at least, that I will run out of books to read, and I can save a small fortune on delicious treats and chocolates. Now, all I need to find is an eco-friendly thank you card to send. There are quite a few to choose from…
Thanks for reading.
Please share:
January 7, 2022 @ 11:08 pm
I’m so glad you enjoyed your Christmas, Fran. I too am pleased to see the shift away from plastic and was very happy to receive books myself. Things with which to keep warm was also high on our gift list. Maybe there is a change. By the way, how is your novel publishing progressing?
January 8, 2022 @ 2:52 pm
Hi Val, and happy New Year to you! I sincerely hope that 2022 is a good year for us all. Can the change come quickly enough, and are there enough of us invested in ‘doing with less’ to make it work? I wonder, but I will keep trying, nevertheless. I was counting up how many packets of crisps I eat a year – and it’s a lot! – and then visualising how my flat would look if all the packets were scattered around… Not a pretty sight, so I’m cutting down on them, too.
Because I have so much else to think about at the moment – death and taxes are only two of them – and because traditionally “pushing” submissions hasn’t really worked for me, I’m rather hoping for a miracle when it comes to publishing. I’ve had a few of these, so why not? Not a very scientific method, though, I agree. The first thing is to have the novels ready to submit – that’s two out of three beta read and polished – and then we shall see.
Thanks for commenting. You are such a good friend, and I appreciate everything you do, bless you! Xxx
February 5, 2022 @ 6:28 am
Now that we are back in contact let me say how happy I am. It’s like when I got married and I drifted away from all my friends – even my best friend and then when I re established contact he and his wife just went back to the way we always were and never commented about the cloudy days. All I want for Christmas these days are people on my blog to respond. My second wife who lives about ten minutes away and my daughter are the only people left – close at hand – that I talk to. One regret is that I lent your book to someone and I forget who and I haven’t got it back. Have you read the “Poisonwood Bible”? I thought of you a lot when I read it. The husband/father of the family reminded me of the last headmaster I had and I would have stayed teaching if I hadn’t run afoul of him on so many occasions.
February 5, 2022 @ 6:28 pm
Hello dear John,
I’m so pleased to have your comments back on my blog too! It really makes my day. 😀 I have read some of ‘The Poisonwood Bible’ and found it immensely well written, very dense, and the kind of thing I can only read in very small snatches. So rich, it’s a bit like Christmas cake, or at least I find it so. My palate might now be a bit more robust and I can try it again… It’s the kind of read that teaches as well as being entertaining, so definitely should be on my list.
If you want another copy of my book – paperback or hardback? – I’d be happy to send you one. Just say which, and I’ll sign it too.
Lots of hugs! Fran xxx