The family Christmas tree finally made it up this week and was decorated by the grand kids. Hard to believe we are at that point in the year yet again and time certainly does seem as though it speeds up the older you get.
Having the grand kids around does change things as I know we went through a good many years wondering if we would put a tree up at all and now we have no choice. By late next week I would expect to see the entire area around the tree flooded with wrapped presents as I know granny does go over board and why we needed another suitcase purchase when we were on the last non shopping trip in the UK.
The difference these days is the time we have as a family due to the work commitments taking us up to late on Christmas Eve. Normally we have a Christmas Eve dinner with crackers and what not followed by another big luncheon on Christmas day itself. Last year we went to a restaurant for Christmas Lunch as we had no time to do the normal preparations. This was great as it gave everyone a well deserved break, but it was just not the same. Keeping traditions going or trying to keep them going as a family is important even if time is a problem.
Last month I asked the family to decide what we would do this year as the same time issues still exist. We were undecided as a group with more favoring we do our own thing at home which made it an easy decision and I will cook a beef fillet instead accompanied with many different types of salads. Funnily enough the one cut of meat that generally comes down in price over the festive period is beef fillets. I think the population tends to prefer other cuts and the butchers have to move the fillets hence they are on special.
Something else I have to plan and still do is providing a meal for the staff at the warehouse. I am not 100% sure what I will be doing as we cannot shut down and go out due to the orders still needing to be processed. I know certain staff members do love their alcohol so it will have to be a late afternoon function once the couriers have collected all the online deliveries.
Next year we should be having a thank you party at the beginning of November as the last 5 or 6 weeks of the year this is impossible. We used to do Christmas work functions many years ago, but that was before we had online sales and that has screwed that idea up permanently. Staff do appreciate something and do not want to be an after thought. A few years ago the management decided they would have a Christmas function on their own and I jumped all over them saying how inappropriate this idea was and it was cancelled. If there is a party then everyone attends as everyone in the company has a role to play and management is not more important than the workers.
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Grandchildren truly bring a fresh sparkle to the holidays. Your post makes me appreciate the little joys and the effort behind family celebrations that we always tend to forget about. 😓
Yes we had lost Christmas for a few years as there were no young kids around and now it has started up again with the arrival of grandkids.
Wishing you the best of the Holiday Season for you and your family! 🎄
Thanks and the same to you.
Well I do love Christmas eve at my parent house. This year I did try to bring this tradition over to our house, because they are closing to reaching 80. And while my mam likes to do it, I do see it getting harder each year.
We will have to enjoy it as long as it lasts.
According to me Christmas is about family, so I wouldn't prefer to have the Christmas diner in a restaurant. It just does lack the spirit. But I can understand that there situation in which you are more or less forced to celebrate in there. Like you wrote is has same advantages.
I enjoy family traditions not all of them mind you, but Christmas get togethers are a must and I think you taking over the role from your parents had to happen. I am sure your mother appreciates you stepping in. Business commitments and the time is challenging so I think the compromise this year is better than going out in public.
Grand kids sure do make things interesting. I have a grand niece now or a great niece and she has brought so much joy into our lives so unexpectedly.
I think the beauty about this is that this is so unexpected and I was caught off guard and I think having little ones around even if they are not yours is wonderful.