Christmas – probably part 1

Edit: I feel this post was perhaps a little harsh. I’m going to leave it here but would like to reassure everyone that our family rivalry is all done in jest and that my brother and I have now rectified the tree situation.

I know I bored you with this last year (Christmas ‘08) but I’ve just got off the phone with my dad and need to alert the world to the fact that terrible things have happened.

Firstly, they are putting up the tree without me. Yes, I said I didn’t mind when they did it but putting it up only a few hours before I get home smacks a little of “we can’t be bothered and don’t care enough to wait”. And despite what they’ll try to tell you they did say, when they hadn’t done it by last weekend, that they would wait for me to be home tonight. I’d gotten my hopes up and am now a little miffed. Sorry for shouting. (You might not be able to hear but all of that was shouted in my head)

What makes it even worse, however, is that the dreaded beads are back. I have succeeded for the past 3 years in hiding my mum’s strings of beads before she could get them on the tree (and ruin it). The boys however have not been as vigilant. I’ll be lucky if I get home and the star is on top instead of the ridiculous poinsettia thing.

Here, for you and them (because I know they’ll read this), is how the tree is supposed to look:

Christmas

Christmas began last night really at the Carol Service at church. It wasn’t sinking in that there was only one sleep to go but if anything will do it it’s the good old fashioned carols. I was a little disappointed that we didn’t sing “Once in Royal David’s City” because it is my most favourite carol but I enjoyed it all the same. I was on sound and nothing going horribly wrong – despite the different sound clips, instrument changes and CDs – meant it was a good night. The best thing, though, the best Christmas present I could have asked for, was my Dad coming to church. I think he enjoyed it, not sure how soon he’ll be back but crossing the door step is a first step I can’t praise God for enough. Both Louis and Dan spoke powerfully about the meaning of Christmas and the importance of keeping Christ at the centre of it.

I also went to the watchnight service for the first time last night. I was absolutely shattered and may have been better going to my bed but really loved it. Welcoming in Christmas day surrounded by my family at St.C’s was wonderful.

So this morning I crawled out of bed having had about five and a half hours sleep, wasn’t in the best of moods to say the least! Managed to make it through breakfast without much arguing – as usual the issue of my aunt’s dog arose but we all love her really (the dog that is – it’s just buried deeper for some of us than the others) and quickly came to a truce. So we eventually got round to presents and I think eeryone was pleased with what they received. We’re a family of list writers so there weren’t too many surprises – my parents did get me some stuff which I’d mentioned in passing/ dropped a couple of hints about/ looked at months ago and forgotten all about though which is always nice. I am now also daily devotioned/ inspired out – I think I ended up with three separate books but will be sure to put them to good use. There was only one dissappointment – a severe lack of satsumas in the bottom of my stocking!! What was Santa thinking!

Presents were finished in plenty of time so Mum, Auntie Claire and I were well in time for church. I love the Christmas day service – seeing everybody, seeing the children with their presents and Louis with his mother-in-law’s. Sue skillfully adapted and re-created the school assembly but unfortunately there was a lack of gunge present. 

When we got home it was time for lunch but before we started Adam treated us to a mento and coke display – if you haven’t seen the video you can find it here: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=hKoB0MHVBvM. Having started preparing things last night, Dad served up a right feast. There was a lot of food for eight people – 3kg potatoes, 2 kg carrots, 1 kg parsnips, 8 1/2 lbs turkey, a lot of chipolata sausages. It was fab!! I ate way too much and nearly fell asleep afterwards. We were eventually able to face pudding almost three quarters of an hour later!

As always we watched the Queen’s speech after lunch – well, everyone else watched as I lay flat out on the floor half asleep. And as everyone else fell asleep around us, Dad and I watched the Michael McIntyre DVD I got this morning. Then, for some reason I tidied my room!! But it was more than necessary if there was going to be room for my new books and CDs on my shelves.

So as per usual we’re finishing the day watching Christmas TV – Dr. Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Eastenders and Wallace and Gromit. What did people do before the box in the corner existed?! To be honest I wish I knew because it’s driving me a little insane, mind you when the majority of your relatives can’t stay awake for more than five minutes, there’s not much else to do.

Merry Christmas everybody! God bless you and be with you.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (King James Version)

family and decorations

My mum and dad have been married for twenty years but they still argue over family Christmas traditions. My dad inherited some pretty tacky Christmas decorations which used to be hung up all over his house in Belfast when he was a kid. Our collection has somewhat depleted over the years but there’s still enough to do the ceiling of the dining room. However, mum absolutely detests them – always has but we’ve usually won the battle, putting them up when she’s at work so she hasn’t had a choice. Apparently it’s because they never did it in  her home when she was a kid. This afternoon though I got a bit carried away with the Christmas spirit and made paper chains – a lot of paper chains! We strung them all along the kitchen and dining room ceilings – they’re beautiful!

The family are also beginning to descend. My granny arrived on sunday and my aunt and her dog arrived today. Love them dearly but remembering that can be hard at times. The dog in particular can make it very difficult. It’s funny how differently people do things or treat you when they haven’t seen you in a while. I only see my Granny once a year and she tends to forget that I’m almost eighteen and able to fend for myself. Nana and Papa arrive tomorrow and it will be a properly full house for three days. It’s how Christmas is meant to be for me though – it’s how it always is – without them it would feel empty.

Christmas begins in the Harrison household

Tonight we finally got round to putting up th Christmas tree. I am very much in the Christmas Spirit now – getting more and more excited.

This morning we had our first Christmas assembly with all the children from Braehead Primary. We had a great time as Sue told the Christmas story beautifully, Louis led the kids in some great tunes and I got to gunge Tom!! In which other job do you get to cover your boss in baked beans, shaving foam, flour and water! Of course the real credit goes to Sue for the original master plan (not that I’m concerned about revenge attacks or anything!).

Last night I also wrapped the majority of my Christmas presents so am more than organised this year. Tomorrow we’re swapping secret santa presents at school – very excited for it! I was fortunate to choose my oldest friend (fourteen years we’ve known each other) from the hat and have a small collection of gifts which I think she’ll really appreciate. Did realise today how much I’ve spent this Christmas but to be honest I don’t care! I’ve bought people what I wanted to buy them in order to show them that I care – I’m not fussed about the cost.

Here are the first of (no doubt) many photos from this Christmas:

 

Our multitude of decorations ( how many camels and sheep can you count?!)

The Nativity

 

the Tree

Christmas shopping

. . . is finished!!

I find it really difficult to know what to buy folk but I must say I’m very happy with everything I’ve got.

Now for an evening of wrapping

Christmas shopping

Just spent the entire day in town trying to do my Christmas shopping! Wasn’t quite as successful as I had hoped but at least I’ve started It would, of course, be easier if people didn’t already own everything and dropped a few more hints as to what they wanted!!
Am finally starting to feel a little Chrismassy though . . . the whole humbug thing is wearing off after weeks of resisting the Festive spirit. Went to see my friend in her panto last night and we had a great laugh heckling in the audience, finally opened my advent calendar today and had my first mince pie this week. There’s even a (very) tiny part of me which wants to start putting up the decorations!!