Boxing day is a funny ol’ day.

Right now, as I’m writing this sentence, my sister is sitting in front of me eating a breakfast of warmed up turkey and veg, with a dollop of chutney and some pickled onions. I am snacking on twiglets and jacobs cream crackers, while wearing my lovely new fluffy pyjamas and fluffy slippers! (but NOT a onesie – have not yet gone down that path)

Boxing day – AKA cosiest morning of the year. At least for our family it is. From what I can read on my Facebook feed, today is, for many people “the biggest shopping day of the year!” and I can understand that! I do love a good sale and this Xmas I traditionally received book and Debenhams’ vouchers, but I can’t really be bothered with the crowds- plus it’s the boxing day dip today!

I hope you all had a great Xmas. Mine was wonderful and argument free! Bringing me onto my next lesson –

Lesson 6: How to have a Merry Xmas – Xmas Trip part 2!

Xmas started for us on the 24th with our traditional drink at the local spoons, (double up for a pound!) before heading off to the Spinning Wheel for a dance. At 12 O’clock Wizzard and Shakin’ Stevens called us on to the floor for the final boogy of the night!

Xmas morning – 25th. Fluffy dressing gowns and cups of tea. The four of us sharing presents in the living room – Dad complaining about the mess with all the paper, Mum telling Dad to stop being such a grump.

“What did you get for Christmas?”
“I got fat!”

I prepared my traditional Christmas Day Prawn Cocktail recipe for my dad (the only one in the family who eats it…) while all the rest was being done by mum, dad and my sister. Tempers started rising and small arguments broke out on how best to prepare the potato turnip mash. (I ended up doing it and it was superb 😉 )

A real Christmas miracle happened last night. My sister and I completed the Christmas Dinner without having a fight!

Christmas Dinner

Starter:
Soup
Prawn Cocktail (dad)

Main:
Turkey wrapped in bacon and filled with stuffing
Cranberry Terrine (Mum)
Turnip and potato mash
Honey roasted parsnips and carrots
Yorshire Pud
Pigs in blankets

Dessert:
Christmas log

And in the evening when everyone had gone to bed (at about 7 PM) my fluffy pyjamas and slippers made a comeback just in time for Downton Abbey (what a fantastic episode it was!!).

I love coming home for Christmas.

Christmas is a time for families and having a laugh. We’re neither religious nor consumerists but rather a family who enjoys being in each other’s company (for this limited amount of time). We don’t do games or puzzles, but we do force ourselves to open some crackers and wear those silly hats. The day is spent snacking on sweets & cheese and drinking wine, brandy, gin and vodka.

We watch depressing soaps rather than the Queen’s speech and listen to the Pogues instead of carols.

It’s a Christmas day which I wouldn’t change for the world – and I hope that – if/when I eventually have kids – they are able to enjoy it as much as I do!

And on that note – I’m off to enjoy a boxing day snooze ;-).

Thanks for reading!

Laura xxxx