Family Tree
The family Christmas tree is sitting proudly in its stand, but still contained within the netting from the local garden centre. We'll set the branches loose later today when the Zedettes are ready to decorate them with lights, tinsel, baubles and chocolate bells.
Inevitably I'll end up having my usual argument with Mrs Z about those very same chocolate bells. You see, on my side of the family, we had very strict rules about such things. The chocolates couldn't be eaten until after Christmas Day. My wife, on the other hand, believes the children should be entitled to one every day as a sort of advent treat. It's not the only issue which provokes a seasonal clash of ideas.
Christmas Dinner or Christmas Lunch? I was brought up with the notion that the big Christmas meal should happen in the early evening. Mrs Z thinks we should be stuffing turkey down our throats at lunchtime.
Then there's the town-centre lights to think about. As a child in Glasgow, my fondest memories of Christmas include the times when my Dad would drive us into the city and allow us to wander around George Square looking at the multi-coloured lights and the Nativity scene. This would be late in the evening, when the shops were closed, and you felt you had the city centre as a personal playground.
I have to admit, however, that some of my wife's annual rituals are laced with good sense and common decency. On Christmas Day she pulls out a notebook and records the details of every gift received. Then, during the school holidays, she insists that the Zedettes write at least two thankyou leters every day. It's all terribly middle-class.
Still, it could be worse. At least we don't argue about religion.
It is Christmas, after all.
