going Christmas crackers...

Should the Christmas Tree go up?

I have a wee dilemma

And I don’t know what to do:

Should the Christmas Tree go up?

Or should I wait for you?

I know you’re all grown-ups now,

And off doing your own thing,

But I still sometimes find it hard

To cut the apron string!

I’m pleased and very proud of you

In equal and full measures,

And watching you grow up has been

A journey full of treasures.

But even though I’m happy that

You’re finding your own way,

I sometimes feel a wee bit sad

On days just like today.

We’ve never put the tree up

When you’ve not all been at home,

To wrap around the tinsel

And hang up the Christmas gnome.

To tie the strings on chocolates

And to place the star on top,

To sing along to Christmas songs

And watch Dad have his strop!

To dance and all look silly

In our crazy Christmas hats,

To take turns hanging bobbles

And our treasured bits of tat.

To cheer when Dad eventually

Gets all the lights a glow,

To laugh and march together to

His Dulci Jubilo!

To light the spicy candles

And put Santa on the shelf,

Then watch a favourite Christmas film;

The Grinch or maybe Elf!

So, there lies my dilemma

With an answer not yet clear,

Should we put the tree up?

Or hang off till you’re all here?

The 22^nd of December,

Seems a while to wait!

I can't help thinking that the tree

Should be up by that date.

I guess I should be doing

What I do when faced with strife,

And think of something good about

This latest change in life.

Of course! That’s it! The tree’s going up,

I’ve come to my decision.

This change in family circumstance

Calls for a special mission

To make a great job of the tree,

Just me and Dad alone,

And make the house all Christmassy

To welcome you back home!

https://soundcloud.com/janey-123/should-the-christmas-tree-go

Starting Christmas early...

No matter when the tree goes up, the Milne household always follows the same tradition; silly Christmas hats have to be adorned, Christmas music has to be played, a wee drink or three has to be drunk, lots of chocolate decorations have to be eaten (‘because the string was broken...’), a few sweary words have to be muttered while the dreaded lights are sorted out, and we have to coorie up on the couch to watch ‘Elf’ or ‘The Grinch’ after the last bobble has been hung.

And, even though the Milne kids are all over sixteen years old, this year was no different.

....In fact, this year was a bit different, now that I come to think of it, as the tree went up earlier than ever before. Ironic really; when I think of all the years, when they were little, that the kids wanted to put the tree up as soon as they’d opened the first door on their advent calendars. “It’s far too soon!”, we’d say, and we usually managed to put them off till just a week or so before Christmas Day. So, why so early this year? Well, simply because last night was the only time in December that we could all manage to be in the house long enough to see our tradition through!

I guess I have to accept - sooner or later - that our putting-up-the-tree tradition will no longer be a whole-family affair. However, it made me feel all toasty inside when Ross and Gemma said they wanted to be here – and that’s the reason we went for it yesterday! I guess some folk might think it’s all a bit soft, but it’s a tradition that represents what Christmas is all about for us; just enjoying being together and having some good fun.

....Actually, now that I come to think of it, this year was a bit different for another reason; whoever came up with LED lights deserves a medal! I’m sure ours won’t be the only home that’ll enjoy a much more peaceful festive season without having to find that elusive dud bulb! In fact, not one sweary word passed the lips of Santa this year as he unfurled and plugged in his new set of shiny LED lights! Bliss!

You're never too old..........