39. Christmas rocked around again

Each year December begins seemingly normal; the work week never lets up and you’re still cooking your normal weekly meals. By the end of the month, it’s almost impossible to find a store that isn’t playing Bublé or Carey’s biggest hits and you’re entire diet consists of the leftovers from Christmas and Boxing Day, ranging from the delicious offcuts of the ham to that random vegan dip that your aunty brought. What’s sandwiched between those two periods is what seems to be a myriad of days that include shopping, working, general stressing, outfit planning and a lack of sleep. 

I’m lucky enough to have strong relationships with many of the relatives that make up both sides of my family and I don’t take it for granted. Despite the prickly subjects we try to avoid when around certain family members, I wouldn’t trade anything for the annual tipsy dance battles or late hours spent playing board games. That’s not to say it’s all happy-go-lucky, Christmas can be a complicated time for many people for a variety of reasons.

I’m generally lucky that the hardest question I got asked this Christmas is “What are your plans for the new year?”. This subjective question doesn’t always have a wishy-washy answer, but after what 2024 threw at me, I confidently identify my plans to be wishy-washy. I know I’m not the only one who can’t provide a clean-cut answer to the inquisitive older relatives.

After being immersed in the Christmas-themed events happening throughout December, we soon enter the strangest period of the year; the mush of days between December 25th and New Year's Eve.  Travellers to their hometowns for the holidays gather their things before returning home. Grandmothers pack away the special plates while family members continue the cycle of nursing hangovers and drinking every night; no rest for the wicked. You receive links to podcasts you promised your uncle you would listen to and leave with a lipstick-stained cheek, courtesy of the aunty whose red lip just won’t quit. The prosecco/panic/pudding-induced blur that December was has now almost ended, so here’s cheers to a safe and happy new year.