Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive

It all started of so well. It was October and I was already buying Christmas presents, determined not to leave it until Christmas Eve as I usually do. I could feel myself growing more and more festive with each falling leaf, warm drink and passing day. At the beginning of December, I had become so Christmassy it was almost unbearable.

Then The Universe (who is a longstanding friend of Lauren's, actually) decided to thwart my festive cheer. I witnessed a group of students try to set a Christmas Tree on fire. I was stuck at work while my family decorated the house. My work party ended with me fighting back vomit on the District Line. In the office the next day, with a killer hangover, three separate deals went catastrophically wrong. I even got a cold, which did nothing for my mood. Hello Darkness, my old friend. Where did my sparkly, warm holiday go? Where was the optimism and joy that had been so abundant just a few days before?

I was ready to file this Christmas in a file marked 'FAIL'; but then it snowed. Snow makes everything look so clean and peaceful - and so incredibly Christmassy. Something stirred, a resistance to the bad mood I'd immersed myself in. I knew exactly what I needed to do. I watched Home Alone, followed by Love Actually, and cracked open a box of chocolates. Then Allison emailed me with a picture of a card she'd made me, and I received another card from another blogger (can I just say, you Canadians put me to shame - you're the best around Christmas! And if that's not a prime example of the TASG doing its job, I don't know what is!). The next day, one of the designers at work brought in a CD of festive classics, which we've been playing non-stop in the office. Gradually, all the nice and pretty things I love about this time of year are pushing the gloom away. The present buying, the lights, the decorations, the drink - everything is fun and friendly and it would be a crime most heinous if I let a few poxy work issues get in the way.


No, I will let nothing me dismay, for I'm determined to have a good one this year. And I'll heed your warning Allison, and make sure there are no further wardrobe malfunctions! I ho-ho-hope you all have a fantastic Christmas, wherever you are.