Our very individual Christmas (My Perfect Christmas)

Member Name: annieboo

Product:	My Perfect Christmas
Date:	26/11/08 (253 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Quirky

Disadvantages: None

Our Christmas may not be to everyone's taste but it suits us perfectly and to me that is what Christmas should be about. Firstly we don't have any close family nearby so its just my husband and I.
I love cooking and enjoy baking and making huge amounts of potato salad, humous and "dippy stuff" in the run up to the "big day"
Christmas eve is fantastic as I love a bargain so I hit the supermarkets around lunch time and fill my boots! Depending on what I manage to get I either spend a couple of hours freezing or cooking my loot. This is the time I used to spend making mince pies(which I am not keen on anyway) but now due to discovering COSTCO mince pies I wouldn't dream of making my own anymore! (they are SO good!)
At about 9.15pm I ring my Uncle in New Zealand to wish him a happy Christmas that really is a very important part of my Christmas.
On Christmas day we get up mega early, make a flask of coffee, load up the mince pies, lots of cheesy Christmas music(car boots are always good for stocking up!) and we head off into the dark(somewhere between 5.45-6.30am) we drive up into the Peak District(we don't go on a specific route) and watch the sun rise. The journey is lovely, it is very still and quiet, the roads are deserted. Some houses have their curtains open and sometimes you see(and hear!)screams of joy. Also we go past a lovely old church you sometimes see some ladies decorating the lynch gate and generally making hte outside of the church look festive.
We have our coffee and pies looking over the beautiful hills. Three years ago we had a visitor-a very cheeky sheep(who also liked the pies!) Then two years ago it was very snowy and we didn't think that going up the hills were a good idea so we ended up having a snowball fight in the car park at Buxton! It is also useful to note that should you need them the toilets at Buxton (adjacent to the car park)are open every day and are clean. Last year I got to stroke a very beautiful horse, so its always different.
When we arrive home (time varies depending on where we go((having gone past the now beautifully decorated church) we have cava and open our gifts.
We don't have "proper" Christmas dinner. A few years ago I found my self getting mega stressed about something insignificant(maybe timing the sprouts?) and nearly being in tears. It made me think Why????? Christmas should be about relaxing and being with those you care for rather than following some script for the "perfect Christmas"(what IS perfect anyway)
So we have a buffet type arrangement Loads of stuff(salads) posh cheeses various pies and quiches its really nice and we can please ourselves.
Boxing day is (or was) again rather different. We used to spend the day at an animal sanctuary which was lovely and gave lots of the regulars the day off to spend with their families(we used to volunteer regularly and still fund raise) We used to walk the dogs, feed and clean them(husband the dog man) feed clean and cuddle the cats, and everything else that was needed. We used to spend the day there and used to come home to home made soup and fresh bread courtesy of my trusty bread maker but sadly we didn't get to do it as there was a new manager and it had got very clicky and there was loads of "office politics" which was a shame. Still had the soup though!
This year we have applied to a couple of organisations so we may be useful again this Boxing day.
During Christmas week I go to my mums grave and take her up some flowers. Our Christmas will be a little difficult this year because as well as Christmas eve being the second anniversary of the death of my Uncle, we lost a family member in a quite shocking accident this year as well as a close friend.
I really enjoy our Christmas but reailise its not to everyones taste. If we had family then obviously things would be different but it really works for us.
To anyone reading this I would just like to say I hope you have a peaceful & happy Christmas filled with everything you want.

Summary: Custon made Christmas!