Christmas is officially a week away and I am a little nervous.
End-of-year catch-ups and a few work functions have occupied my weeknights. Last year I was preserving tomato chutney, making molasses and caramel chocolates and sewing handmade scarves for my friends. All my presents were wrapped and under the tree, patiently waiting to be opened. This year it’s a completely different story. My tree is in pieces, strewn over the living room floor. It seems my new kitten is particularly fond of the bright red poinsettias and gold baubles that I precisely arranged on it last week. There is not a wrapped present to be seen, apart from the one I had done in the shop. My handmade gifts are sitting in the cupboard, unfinished, and the jars I have been saving all year are empty.
I love Christmas but this year it has crept up on me. It has actually jumped at me from around a corner and then slapped me in the face.
I’ve got the weekend to get organised. I will be taking advantage of the midnight closing hours. I will be running round the shopping mall dodging thousands of people. I will be stalking leaving shoppers to their cars to get their park. I will be driving to six different supermarkets trying to find one that hasn’t sold out of fruit mince. I will be cooking no-fuss food on Christmas day. Enjoy these simple but tasty sides to your ham or turkey.
