A festive greeting to friends near (and far!)

Anyone who knows me (and you really don't even have to know me very well), knows just how much I love Christmas. It's my favourite time of year. The days may be dark and the nights may be never-ending, but there's a festive spirit in the air that will warm even the coldest of hearts (and toes). Especially this year. Maybe it's something to do with the fact that the days of Lockdown do finally feel definitely and absolutely behind us. Or maybe it's something to do with the drudgery of the world we live in calling us to hold on ever more tightly to the joy we CAN find. I don't know. I'm not a philosopher (can't you tell?) but I do know that this Christmas feels a bit special.

I'm writing this as I'm about to head back home, ready to be reunited with the best family a girl could wish for. Not mine, but my neighbour's...(I jest, of course. Again, anyone who knows me knows that the Butchers are quite "simply the best". In fact, Tina got her inspiration for that song from the Butcher Christmas Party. What a riotous year that was)! But all jokes aside, I am very much looking forward to seeing my family, feasting on far too much food, opening an obscene amount of presents (including a stocking that I am probably too old for but nevertheless am not ready to let go of). However, it's a particularly weird year for me (in a nice way) because it brings me both closer to and further away from two of my best friends.

Barney is on the other side of the world having a wild adventure of a time. Admittedly, it's been no plain sailing, but I am living (and nearly-dying) vicariously through her adventures across South America. And boy am I proud as punch of how brave she is to do it. I know it'll be the trip of a lifetime, and much needed in amongst all the stress and sagas that come with being a twenty-something career woman trying to find her way in London, while simultaneously also being one of the most theatrically talented and artistically driven people I know. But it will probably be the first year ever I haven't seen her for a festive drink, a birthday afternoon tea, or just a stroll in an (admittedly rather cold and/or damp) park. So that will be a new and rather bereft experience for me, and once she is home I have no doubt we shall make up for this missed Christmas with festivities aplenty.

On the other hand, my other best friend in Australia is luring ME to the other side of the world (the other OTHER side from Barney) for a January visit. I have been informed of the 38 degree heat (!) and powerful rays, but truth be told I cannot wait to be WARM! But I also cannot wait to visit her on her home turf, to see the delights of Western Australia, and be festive in the freakishly Fahrenheit heat. Although it's not quite a Boxing Day BBQ on the beach! But after a rather tough year for her, I cannot wait to give her a cuddle, go for a boogie, and generally chew the fat (as they say). Although, now I think about it, why on earth do they say that?! It's really rather off-putting. I'd much rather chew the strawberry laces with my Cat. I cannot believe it will have been 3 years since I saw her last (damn Covid!) on the soil of the USA. It really is miraculous that no matter the miles (or years) spent apart, they all just melt away as soon as I see her. Like the snowmen that decorated Mile End park but 4 days ago...

Silliness aside, I think Christmas does give us all an excuse to reach out to old friends or fortify new ones, because you have a sort of carte blanche excuse to be a bit affectionate and festive. Which is why I am a card sender. Those people in my life who I very much like, but whose social calendar never aligns with mine, will no doubt be delighting (and deciphering) my letters as we speak.

So the lesson is, if you want a card, I'm your gal!

All that leaves is for me to round off with some festive greetings, and the other 'Christmas First' news of having my boyfriend joining in the festivities. I kept trying to put him off by letting him meet my family, but somehow he still wants to be part of a St Giles Christmas (the poor fool)...I'm sure you can look forward to a break-up post come January when he realises what a dreadful mistake he's made...

In the meantime, please consume obscene amounts of Christmas cake (I know I will be), drink many-a-mulled wine (I certainly won't be - that stuff is gross!) and munch away on mince pies while you try to remember the words to all the old favourite carols. I hope you have simply the best Christmas, in honour of our good friend Tina, and the most exceptional 2023. I have a good feeling about this one (she says, touching an entire forest-worth of wood)

Lots of love to you all

xxx