What Christmas means for me.

I love the family time;
I love giving gifts and seeing the look on their face when I've nailed it;
I love the surprise of said gifts;
I love using it as a chance to spoil my mum;
It's a chance to say thank you to all the people that have helped you in the year;
Being an annual event, I love looking back on the photos and hand made craft from the Christmas before, and all the memories that come with it;
I love the food, come on let's face it, Christmas food is the fucking bomb! Triffle, roasts, Christmas pudding, home made custard, potato salad. My mum makes it all, and I looooove when we all get in the kitchen, bitch about being under each others feet, laugh when one of us cuts or stabs ourselves, argue about who gets the left overs, and since having kids, they have renewed the Christmas Eve joy, and the Christmas Morning excitement. 

I am not religious, like at all, so it's not that for me, but for those that are, it's a chance to give thanks and celebrate the life of someone they respect and love. For those that aren't particularly religious through the year, they take the opportunity to attend Christmas Mass, have their annual check in maybe? 

Anyway, so many people say it's too commercialised, there is too much focus on the presents, that they spend too much, it's annoying to try and fit in visits to or from all the family, blah blah blah.

Yes stores and organisations take full advantage of the silly season, but when don't they? 
The focus by others may be on presents, but I control what is seen, heard and done in my house, and I choose NOT to focus on the presents. 
Spend too much? Well don't. I may love giving gifts, but a great gift doesn't come with a huge price tag. Set a budget, you're the one that buys, so just don't spend the stupid damn amounts of money. 
Be thankful you have family to visit! Take advantage of Christmas Eve, and Boxing day, spread it out, make it fun, or better yet, make them all come to you and tell them to bring wine. 

Just like anything in this world, Christmas is what you make it. You focus on presents and the money, that's what it will be about, but I choose to focus on the pure joy, the wonder, and the fun (and the food). 

Fuck yes my Christmas stuff is out already!