Well... it's that time of year again. We've barely seen the back of Halloween and Bonfire Night, the nights are drawing in, the shops are decked with overwhelming amounts of shiny baubles, tinsel and glitter and we're on the countdown to Christmas!
I'm a traditionalist at heart when it comes to Christmas and for me Christmas is all about being together, at home, with my family.
It saddens me that a lot of the true meaning of Christmas has been lost amongst the mad high-street dash for the biggest and best present, the stress of frantically re-decorating the spare room before the in-laws descend on us, getting the 52" flat screen installed in time to watch the Christmas day movie (and of course the Queen's speech) and sorting emergency seating in case the new sofa doesn't arrive - not to mention stock-piling food as though the shops may never open again after Christmas day! (yes, admit it, we've all done it, me included! ) And whilst I don't agree with turning one of the most important religious and historical dates on our calendar into a branded, commercial, money spinner, I do relish the winter holidays and all the seasonal trimmings, social activities and traditions that they bring.
I take time off work at Christmas and just relax at home. Holidays booked at any other time of the year we tend to spend away from home, sitting on a beach or walking up a mountain somewhere; but I look forward to my family Christmas at home, eating chocolates, watching movies and going for long, crisp, winter walks wrapped up against the elements. This year will be an extra special Christmas for me too, as the joyous presence of a bright, inquisitive, comical, two year old, has me questioning who's going to be more excited - me, or my little man?
Although my home is no huge mansion, I do transform it into a twinkly, cosy, spice scented, winter wonderland at Christmas. I go to town on my Christmas decorations - (all beautifully and tastefully colour co-ordinated in my favourite colours, duck-egg and turquoise of course) - and on the run up to Christmas I listen to Christmas songs that remind me of my childhood, I fill the house with seasonal scents and aromas, I produce hand-made, sometimes edible, gifts and I bake copious amounts of home-made mince pies and sausage rolls in advance anticipation of seasonal visitors and friendly get togethers.
Many of you may say that these 'traditions' and 'trimmings' have little or nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas either and you would probably be right, but to me they are just another form of interior decoration and self-expression - and one that I only get to indulge in once a year. I could happily live with these cosy trimmings (such as twinkly lights, elaborate table settings and gorgeous garlands) all year round, but would probably be viewed as rather strange - even for an interior designer - if I had Christmas in my home all year round! Instead, I take the opportunity to temporarily indulge in unlimited festive creativeness!
The season of 'good cheer' is a feel good time of year to me and nothing makes me feel better than being happy and comfortable in a cosy home surrounded by the people who mean the most to me.
