As the big day looms, our Christmas preparations are well under way. We make a start putting the Christmas TV on record (who knows this year I might watch more live TV), last minute shopping, final gift wrapping, thank you Christmas gifts dropped off for our Scout leaders, helpers and Executive committee. With gingerbread to keep us going I am trying not to give into too much Christmas temptation as I don’t want to gain festive weight.

However, I am happy to report that December so far has been one of moderation. While I have been enjoying a few festive treats, I have tried to balance these out with filling healthy meals and so far, so good the scales are staying steady.

But this Christmas really won’t be the same. This week we got the news that Covid has taken a loved one on my partners side of the family. Words cannot describe the loss. It is so sudden, so unexpected, so quick. It feels like they have been stolen from us by a virus that is not finished raging havoc yet. So, while are emotions are red raw right now, we seek solace in the fact that they had a good full life.

Yet life is still running at a hundred miles an hour with the Christmas rush, and while I wouldn’t say it is a welcomed distraction it keeps us busy.  We carry on and join a few neighbours for Christmas Carol’s in the street. It may be bitter cold, the wind might be blowing making my candle pointless, but the rain has cleared. So, as my partner and I cuddle into one another singing, we are filled with that much needed Christmas feeling I have been searching for.

As Christmas eve dawns, I enjoy a jog clearing my mind ready to welcome the festivities: we pick up the meat from our local butcher, prepare the vegetables and complete last-minute wrapping of each other’s gifts before Santa arrives.

With Christmas eve also comes hope as the Brexit deal, that has been hanging in the air for the last 2 years, finally ends with a trade deal with the European Union. Relief that we are not bombing out with nothing is good enough for me. Let us all hope it will lead to a brighter 2021 with more assurance and hope for British trade.

Then as Christmas day arrives, we welcome a very different day from the comfort of our homes. As much as I love family and am missing them as I wake, it is lovely to have a relaxing morning where we can create our own traditions. It’s a leisurely day beginning with warm cinnamon swirls and croissants, stockings. We then head out for a dog walk and enjoy greeting fellow walkers a Merry Christmas, before we start Christmas dinner. I am feeling rather daunted by the challenge, however, with our lists and my chef (fiancé) we have it all under control. The dinner preparations run like clockwork, with time to do gifts with my parents who have come to us for Christmas dinner. Crackers, dinner feast and we are all resting our tummies in the sitting room in time for the Queen’s speech, followed by a Christmas movie, and naps all round. The day and our guests are gone before we know it. Yet, with spreading our gift opening throughout the day, my fiancé and I sit on the evening to exchange gifts and reminisce on a beautiful day.

With the weekend we welcome a relaxing few days of leftovers, chocolates and of course time to enjoy are gifts. This year we welcome the technological advancement of ‘Amazon Alexa’ a virtual, computer-generated intelligent personal assistant. Over the weekend so far it has helped plan future journeys, check the weather, set timers to check on tea and play music as we potter in the kitchen. The timers are particularly useful as we wouldn’t want tea to burn as we distracted building our lego – you’re never too old surely?