glad tidings

I for one do not wish it could be Christmas every day. For starters, the dog barks whenever the church bells ring, which means he's been incredibly noisy this past hour. The hour that I've just spent in the kitchen trying to rediscover the work surfaces ready for cooking on tomorrow. They were buried under several layers of flour, cinnamon and edible glitter, the result of an evening of my girly's baking - mainly for the dog's stocking.
Unsurprisingly, I have caught my boyfriend's streaming cold. Thankfully I bought a bag of satsumas and so have been able to make a start on those and once the stockings are open tomorrow can have the rest (they always get returned to the fruit bowl but it's the symbolism that counts).
Tomorrow is the first time in a few years that I will have a stocking again :) It's the first time their Dad won't be here to see the kids open their presents and they were happy with that given that he will have stockings for them later. I suggested they were old enough now to play their own part in the stocking present buying. Some folk think me mean but I've never really stressed the whole Father Christmas thing. I didn't want to reach a point where I'd have to say to my kids that yes, I'd been lying about Santa being real but I still hoped they'd believe me about the rest of what I feel Christmas is about. We still act out the traditions - putting out some sherry and a carrot - but I've always been clear with them that I'm playing the part of St Nick. How would I be able to look my kids in the eye and talk of a guy who brings gifts to "good girls and boys" as if that were to explain why some children receive expensive presents, whilst there's many a parent round the world unable to afford anything for their children. Have they not been good enough? Does Santa not go to them? I realise it's not a populist perspective so I mainly keep quiet about it, but it's how we've done things here.
So I'm off to fill their stocking and they have already filled mine. It's midnight now and so Happy Christmas! Hope you have a love and wonder filled day :D
... My stocking presents were mainly handmade, I'm very happy :-) I have seen a Dodinsky quote I like this morning, that the most treasured gifts are the meaningful moments we create with those we love. Whatever you receive today I hope you have some lovely time with loved ones. That's the best!
Have felt pretty rubbish all day. Perked up a bit now, maybe it was the very yummy cheese - creamy Cheshire from orsome. It was indeed awesome!