120. Christmas (1)

Everyone is going about the house singing, whistling, humming or even drumming along to the tune of It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

'Come on!' I say. 'Hold you horses! November's not over!'

They just ignore me and carry on singing and humming. It is not altogether unpleasant yet I find it annoying. Must be the racket it makes, the fact that everyone is competing with everyone, trying to put into their own version the most festive vibes. Then I think, come on, at least they've agreed on the tune!

'Anyway we might just cancel Christmas altogether this year.' 

Still no reaction although the singing seems less cheerful.

'Or maybe just a very plain Christmas. Amish style ...'

'No way!'

'That is just such a stupid idea!'

'Where on earth do you get these ideas from anyway? Is there a blog somewhere called silly ideas for mothers who want to annoy their poor cute kids? ... Seriously!'

'Great idea of your mother's. I have to agree! Amish sounds good. And it's good for the planet too. You should be pleased about that.' My husband is having his revenge here as the kids are always telling him he is not green enough and does not understand these modern issues. Or perhaps he is thinking about his wallet.

'You guys have gone crazy or something?'

'All right! Maybe not Amish but definitely low-key.'

They stare at me, actually looking worried. 

'First of all, Santa will bring you books ... real books made of paper.' I say while looking at my husband.

They all stop and look at me. The singing and humming has stopped. At least we can hear ourselves talk but the festive spirit is suffering. I need to rekindle it.

'Stop fretting! You can choose the book! And maybe one other reasonable, sensible, planet-friendly present.' And I pin a sheet of paper on the kitchen wall, our fridge is on overload mode.

'And at the weekend we are going to make a Christians pudding! Everyone has to be present -lockdown or no lockdown - to give it a stir.'

At least my husband is enthusiastic.

'Great! English traditions! About time you kids learned about those.'

'Is there chocolate in Christmas pudding?' Baby asks.

Maths-Head leaves the room:

'No, but there's brandy. I'll be there as long as you put tons in it! I love brandy!'

I glance at my husband but he does not seem worried at this last comment. He seems so happy about the pudding tradition being revived in our household. I think it is good that they just don't do Maths in that school, you know, you got to open up to the world and live life to the full. 

'Well, I've got Maths homework to do. See ya!' And she's off. And my husband gives me a reassuring look. I am getting into the Christmas spirit and thinking about special wintery cocktails:  toddies, mulled wine, boozy eggnogs and boozy hot chocolate! Christmas 2020 is going to be a good one!

By now everyone is excited and right into the Christmas spirit. Miss Organiser has got the Christmas playlist on and everyone is back on singing and dancing.