It’s been a while since I’ve been able to write a Christmas blog post, what with having taken a few years out from blogging.
I received a variety of presents:
- A bard outfit for future cosplay opportunities
- A total of 13 pairs of socks (pictured above)
- A handmade chopping board made by a relative
- Plenty of chocolate
- plus plenty of other things besides
We’re staying with my parents in York, as we normally do.
Christmas past
That being said, I was intrigued by Diamond Geezer’s list of places he has spent Christmas over the years, and thought about my own list.
As a child, from as early as I can remember, we would spend Christmas at my grandparents in East Yorkshire. This continued until my early 20s, when my grandparents became too old to host us and so my parents took on hosting duties. In Christmas 2008, we just had my grandfather over as my grandmother was in a care home by that point; she passed away in 2009.
This arrangement continued until 2012, by which time Christine and I had moved into our rented flat together. As a key worker in the NHS, Christine’s work patterns over the festive period meant that we had our first Christmas just as a couple – neither of us could drive back then so a parental visit wasn’t possible. 2013 was in York again but 2014 was back in the flat.
Christmas 2015 was also very different. By now, we had bought out house and I had passed my driving test and bought a car, but Christine was also heavily pregnant and so we didn’t want to stray too far from home.
2016 through to 2019 were back to normal, albeit with the addition of a small person. But then in 2020, the pandemic necessitated remaining at ours, so we had our second Christmas in our house and a scheduled Zoom call to speak to family.
Thanks to the various Covid vaccines, 2021 and now 2022 have been back to normal. However, I was surprised that I’ve only ever spent Christmas in 4 places, in almost 40 years of life.
If you celebrate Christmas, then I hope you have a joyous and merry one in whatever way suits you.
@nrturner No cold feet for you!