In the states I kept a tinsel tree up all year – it sat on my altar and was decorated with the various seasonal ornaments the children brought home from school. The younger child complained mildly that he would prefer a real tree; luckily he has no memory of the years we were so poor we had a tree made of construction paper.
Christmas in my mind is definitely about the gifts, with a slight nod in the direction of my cultural heritage, insofar as we officially believe in Santa. It can be difficult to find everything on the wish lists but nobody was disappointed; I’m especially fond of my new bike lock.
The only mishap involved a Lush bath bomb, an unwanted gift that my daughter passed on to me. It would have been perfect for her, as she spent her entire childhood with glitter embedded in her scalp. It was not such a great thing for me to use without reading the label, as I do not enjoy sparkling and it won’t wash off.
The stuff is now all over not only me, but also by extension Byron. Though he looks rather fetching glittering up the place with his Tin Tin haircut and Gravy Train. tshirt.
