Well I think it is safe to say I have survived another Christmas/New Year and once again I have found myself thinking it has been, by and large, a waste of time. I start getting fed up with the whole concept as soon as it becomes near impossible to get any shopping done because of the festive frenzy of wall to wall ignorant people.  Peace on Earth and goodwill to all mankind? Not if you are out and about in the shopping centres.

I managed to get most of the gifts I was buying online but, this too has disadvantages; difficulty with deliveries, returns etc. Annette had got the rest pretty much sewn up having got most of the shopping finished by the early part of December just leaving the perishables to be picked up last minute.  We decorate the house with animated noise machines (must admit I do like the reindeer) tree and trimmings but, still there is a feeling of just going through the motions.

This year was a good year for presents, not a duffer in sight but, I soon realised that even my prized and long awaited laminater was a luxury and not a necessity in my life. I have a lot I could live without although like many would choose rather not to go without.

Nevertheless, I am aware that for many in the world my rubbish would be luxury.  That is quite sad and I do not need every charity in the sun making me feel guilty every time the adverts come on telling me that £1 a week will stop Timmy starving to death, or just £2.40 a month means Joan can get a new face.  I would like to help but, if I give to them all they would have to start a new charity to help me survive.

I think what really brought me down this time around was news that two friends had serious problems and that makes it all the more personal. Derek has yet more health problems; out of control diabetes, trapped  back nerve, heart murmur etc.  My other friend’s girlfriend is on the verge of a mental breakdown and has pretty much made his life a misery the last few weeks. Such a shame as she was so good for him and hopefully will be once again when  she regains her health.  Hard to have a merry Christmas when you think your pals need help and you cannot do anything.

Then we come to New Year. The kids have all gone off to parties and Annette is well fed up with my company.  She does not want to go out, but is deeply bored with stopping in. We settle for catching up on recorded TV and some of the holiday booze.  I know she would rather have gone out somewhere but, I am so far past the pleading stage to get her to agree to do want she wants to do, so I am more than happy to pass up the chance of being squashed in a bar listening to music I hate and queueing for 20 minutes or more for an extortionist priced drink.  Thinking about it, I rather enjoyed new years eve.

So there you are, Christmas, Bah Humbug!  As we live in a land of plenty, where it is possible to buy strawberries all year round if you are willing to pay the price, the whole concept of the winter feast becomes less meaningful.  Had we had some young children to get all excited about presents and the fabled Santa it may have been more fun.  However, I find it all over the top. The shops are barely closed for 24 hours and we stock up on food like rationing is being reintroduced.

Perhaps I should just be grateful we have the ability and money to put the nonsense together every year.