I DO like all those Christmas house and home type magazines in the shops this month.
Too extravagant for me of course but I do buy them as a gift if someone invites me for lunch. Then there are the advertisements for visits to the Christmas markets in places like Edinburgh and York. Lovely idea but oh the crowds. I once went to a Christmas market in Vienna. It was very festive but so cold we spent a lot of our time and money buying hot, spicy drinks to keep warm. The event was packed and this made it a struggle to negotiate the stalls to see what was for sale. I came home with just a couple of baubles which I could most likely have bought in Belfast.
As one who hasn’t even thought about Christmas shopping yet – getting my tax affairs in order has been a priority this month – I sometimes depend on the little brochures from the supermarkets to see what can be bought for presents. I’ve even got one from Debenhams which is trying to persuade me that a Christmas must-have is a Lancome Christmas Beauty Box which is worth over £155 but mine for £45 if I spent another £30 or more on any of the company’s products. I think it’s a bit late to turn me into a raving siren in time for Christmas. When the niece got herself dolled up for a special night out with her husband recently – she got the whole works at a beauty parlour and swears she looked better than Liz Hurley – he didn’t even notice. I recognise that trait in Himself so I don’t spend the money tarting myself up. Yet the Christmas excitement is building. Son number one has announced he’s coming for the festivities this year and I’m so excited. At last a chance to stuff a turkey and ice a cake for one who will appreciate the effort.