Christmas guilt trip has begun

Christmas is fast approaching and there are decorations up in many homes near me already. When I first spotted them it sent me into a blind panic but then I remembered that I was doing quite well this year. Most of the girls’ presents are bought now – not wrapped though. I should get a move on as hiding places are getting difficult to find.

The husband and I are wondering whether we shouldn’t bother buying each other a gift this year. It sounds mean I know but we don’t seem to have time to open them and appreciate the gift. I suppose it’s a time for children. Sounds a bit unromantic though doesn’t it?

A few years ago a friend and I decided that we would buy a gift for each other, which had to be less than £5, and bought from a charity shop. That way we weren’t spending the earth and doing our bit for local causes too. Do you know, it was really good fun and no we didn’t end up with tat or old clothing!

Another woman I know always buys her friend a Christmas decoration. Over the years they’ve amassed quite a few and when it comes to putting the tree up every year they think about each other and what happened in their lives the year they swapped an inflatable Baby Jesus for a classy wooden nutcracker.

I really like this time of year but I’m increasingly starting to think that Christmas was invented as something for us to look forward to during the dark and depressing winter.

The star so bright, which brought the Three Kings safely to see the new King, has now been replaced by a Christmas light, which shoppers follow like robots into the nearest shop or supermarket.

King Herod can be portrayed by many aa a store manager, so keen are they to hear that ding-a-ling of the tills.

It’s not about “LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW, LET IT SNOW but LET US SPEND, LET US SPEND, LET US SPEND”.

We’re quite strict with our girls and we set a budget but I’m starting to feel mean when I hear the chatter at the school gates.

It seems money’s no object and an apple and an orange is still fine to add to your child’s stocking. Just one thing though – it has to be an Apple Mac or an Orange Mobile. Fruit’s gone technological and expensive!

I was talking this through with my 86-year-old Nan and she said she always wanted a baby doll but never ever got one. Her Mum used to say every Christmas morning that Father Christmas had ran out when he arrived in their village. Nan used to ask “Can he not start in our village for a change and then I’d get one?”. My heart just melted when she told me that!

However saying Santa doesn't have another iPad, kindle or iPhone in his sack just doesn’t have the same ring! See what I did there?

Until next time, this is "Scrooge Gallacher" signing off.

Much love. X