Tuesday 17 December 2013

The Spirit of Christmas

No I don't mean a good malt whisky either (although........).

Back in 2007 I wrote a post Christmas Comes But Once a Year.  I'm not sure anyone other than family and a few friends who wanted to keep up were reading my blog back then.   I've just re-read the post and it's a pretty good description still of my view of Christmas.

In 2010 I posted about My Christmas Tree.  That was special and it still comes out each year.  It's out this year.  However this year it's been joined by another one.  So I now have two Christmas trees and my Christmas decoration on show.

My new Christmas tree arrived with Catriona by special delivery a few days ago.  You can give me all the gold in the world and it would not mean as much to me as this:


Thank you Catriona.  You've made my Christmas.

25 comments:

  1. Gorgeous ~ what a very special tree GB. Enjoy!

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    1. Oh yes Carol. This tree is very special. As is the first one Catriona gave me when she was 5.

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  2. A meaningful Christmas tree which I'm sure will be treasured for years to come. Catriona is a special little girl.

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    1. Virginia this is one of those things that will be with me for ever.

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  3. I've just read your 2007 post, an couldn'tagree more. Buying presents to order is more chore than pleasure, and I normally enjoy giving presents. I now see why you agreed with my Bah Humbug post!

    I love your new Christmas tree. Really sweet.

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    1. Thanks Frances. I think this is a topic on which we have a great deal in common.

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  4. I have read your posts from 2007 and 2010. I think this is a very unique way to mark the season, and I agree with you. Presents should never come out of set rules, but out of personal desire to make someone happy.

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    1. Thanks Mersad. I sometimes think that the objective of giving gets forgotten when presents are 'bought to order'.

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  5. deze zijn onbetaalbaar,daar moet je zuinig op zijn.

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    1. Stiefbeen: Het zal een schat ik zal veilig te houden.

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  6. I personally LOVE that Christmas tree. Totally gorgeous and thoughtful. I do hope you have a lovely Christmas Graham, surrounded by love and happiness!!!

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    1. Thank you Jaz. I know that you are surrounded by love and happiness too and you are in my thoughts especially at the moment.

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  7. Those two Christmas trees really make an influence.

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    1. It is Carol and I know that's exactly what you would love as well.

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  9. That's sweet. I finally decorated our tree yesterday, and hung a special ornament made by my granddaughter when she was six. I agree with you, it's probably the most valuable ornament in the house.

    Hugs to you, and wishes for a very Happy Christmas! xoxo Carol

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    1. Thanks Carol (Canadian Carol - Carleo is Scottish Carol) it is those things that I treasure most in my life: things with emotional attachments and things with memories.

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    2. It's true that I am Canadian Carol, but for the next week, you can call me Christmas Carol!
      Hugs, CC

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  10. Repeating the comment I put on FB earlier: I fully agree Christmas should be about what means something to us. Whether that's represented by a few things or many, is really not important!

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    1. I agree Monica. It is really about what is right for us as individuals.

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  11. I LOVE it, GB!!! What a wonderful gift she gave you! Obviously, she knows how special your relationship is!

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  12. It is a lovely tree, Graham!
    I have read your post from 2007. Like you, I don't want to do things just because "the system" tells me to. That is one reason why I so dislike Carnival. All that (often fake) silly merriment, heavy drinking and dressing up simply because the calendar says it is the day for it. Christmas, though, is something I have always loved and still do. I do not get presents "on order", but throughout the year, whenever I think of something I imagine they would like, I either go and get it instantly, or I make a note of it to get it well in advance, so that I am never rushing around for last-minute presents. Also, only those select few who are there at Christmas Eve (which is when we exchange gifts in Germany) at my parents' will get a gift, plus RJ, who will be at my place on the 26th. Oh, and there is of course the parcel I put together for my Yorkshire family. Choosing and wrapping little somethings for each of them is my idea of fun, believe it or not :-)

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    1. Meike I really appreciate the point you made about buying when you saw or had the idea and giving at Christmas. I know that it's so logical (as I would expect from you) but it's not something I'd thought of. I tend to buy if I see something and give regardless of when or whether there is a reason. I shall take your idea on board and then, perhaps, I shall have a much easier and less stressful time at Christmas and for birthdays. Of course if the time is less stressful then it will be more enjoyable.

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