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UP AND down the country families are busy preparing for the welcome and not so welcome members of their families.
The holiday season is upon us but in some quarters, the festive season is far from being a case of peace and goodwill.
Over the next ten days or so whilst many will greet friends and family with open arms, others shudder at the prospect of who will land on their doorstep.
Conversely, many will spend the season in isolation while most of the world uses Christmas and New Year as an opportunity to over-indulge.
The traditional ham, Christmas cake, laced with rum, bun and cheese, fairy lights, turkey and stuffing, presents under Christmas trees carol singing, schools nativity plays, are all indicators of a happy Christmas.
But the prospect of having to see and entertain certain members of the family is likely to spoil Christmas for some. There was a time when Christmas day was simplicity. There was just, mum, dad, and 2.4 children.
You could then add aunties and uncles and grandparents and of course an extra aunt or uncle or two or two, that were are not blood relatives, but are in fact your parents’ best friends who have known you from when you was first born!
It is now not so much extended family, but the “blended family” which now includes all the aforementioned, plus their children and partners.
That certainly is a lot of family to consider and only strategic planning by the host is required to make the day as smooth and enjoyable as possible as much can go wrong on December 25.
Most people can recall a calamitous story on Christmas Day. Forgetting to put the roast in the oven on time is a classic, but this mishap frees up plenty of time for yet another game of Monopoly.
Alternatively, there is another slice or two of ham with accompanying hardough bread, while tuning into the Queen’s speech.
For many families this is the one time of year that permission is granted to fully over indulge on turkey, chicken, served with all the trimmings, macaroni & cheese, plantain, roast yams, never mind the beverages that make up the liquid diet
But while the various foods, snack and drinks are important it is the personal politics that can dampen the day.
Go on admit it, most of us have that annoying family member, partner, acquaintance or neighbour that seems to only get rolled out at Christmas!
Add sibling squabbles, that everyone hopes will be forgotten for a day at least, and you can sometimes wonder if it really is the season to be jolly.
However it’s those same unique and frustrating people - the family - that help to make the occasion festive season so special.
Most of us are able to appreciate the positive value of our family and all their quirks.
The thought of spending a whole 24 hours with the relatives can be testing at times, but with this year (credit crunch) added to the mix, it could be a tad more distressing.
The key is strategy. The grown-ups in the families have come together to plan and agree this year’s Christmas budget in advance as a unit. That way everyone feels considered.
Along with the joy of Christmas inevitably comes sorrow. What must the season be like for those of us who are on our own, whatever the reasons.
Let’s face it whether we are in the mood or not Christmas will happen, unlike birthdays which you can choose not to acknowledge it and generally get away with that.
Christmas is very different it’s all around us, we are reminded daily with the countdown to Christmas on television, radio and the High Street, and the young people salivating at the prospect of getting everything on their wish list.
Coping with the loss of loved ones at Christmas is at the opposite end of the emotion scale.
How do people manage to get through the anniversary of losing their nearest and dearest?
I believe all people are blessed, with far more courage then they realise. In some of our darkest moments we are able to still reach out to others and Christmas should be no exception.
It is a delicate time for some and we should give consideration to the fact that not everybody can spend it with their families.
We smile and exchange pleasantries more, give Christmas cards to our neighbours, in general communication is a much more positive experience.
The country often feels like it’s wrapped up in a huge blanket of kindness and smiles, during the festive season, warmly reminding us of the true spirit of Christmas.
So however you are spending the day, show your gratitude for all those people you love and care for.
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