Making Plans for Christmas – The First One Since James Moved

It’s been a busy and, in many ways, challenging year. Last Christmas I knew it was James’ last Christmas living at home. In the new year, whilst we were all working around covid restrictions, the emphasis was on planning for James’ move. Twice delayed due to Covid, this did go ahead in April. 

Making Plans

Now nearing the end of the year, we are planning for James to come home for Christmas. I’m looking forward to him coming to stay for a few days and we are hoping very much that Grandma, Grandad and Auntie Joan will all be here too, as they were unable to be here last year. However, as you’ll all know, we are living in uncertain times. We are all trying to keep safe and Covid free and hoping Government restrictions don’t alter our plans.

Don’t Stress the Small Stuff

I often get stressed in the lead up to Christmas. Not this year, well, not yet anyway.  I’ve stocked up on food and drink but not excessively in case our guests are unable to come. If they do, we can pool resources. I’ve not cleaned the house from top to bottom. I don’t have the energy. I’ve had two hip operations in the last three months and am not feeling fully up to speed yet. I think what we’ve learnt this last year is that as nice as the presents and the food etc. is, the most important thing is spending time with the people we love. We missed them all last year. This year I am not going to stress about the other stuff.   

The Meaning of Christmas

James doesn’t really understand about Christmas, well we don’t think so anyway. Funnily enough, one of his favourite books he has had for many years is about Baby Jesus. It’s a very well read book. As James has got older though, he enjoys the celebrations more. As soon as the tree goes up at our house he knows something different is happening and when we talk about Christmas he signs ’Grandma’ and ‘dinner’. That’s what Christmas means to James, everyone comes to our house to have dinner. He has really been enjoying the Christmas music this year too.

Christmas Decorations

With James having moved out this year, it’s all been a bit different. I bought some decorations for his flat. He hasn’t got too much space to stand things around, though he has a little tree on his bookcase.  Mostly I bought stick on decorations for the windows as he has 3 big windows. I spent ages searching on Amazon. There were so many to choose from. And then I had fun one afternoon sticking them up. I liked the baubles so much I bought some for our conservatory too. 

What’s Important

Special occasions can often be bittersweet. Birthdays more so than Christmas. I find it sad sometimes that doesn’t James appreciate the same things we do, but maybe I’m assuming that. Whereas birthdays mark milestones in our lives, Christmas is more just about having a nice time and spending it with family and James does enjoy that. 

Family Traditions

Tradition in our house is that after my parents, sister and her partner arrive, we have presents before dinner. I don’t know how it started but as Grandad is James’ favourite person in the whole world, they sit together in their little corner and while I hand out the presents Grandad helps James unwrap them. James used to need a lot of help. Now he’s straight in there and ripping off the paper! 

When the presents are done with and I get busy in the kitchen everyone else will occupy James. Occasionally he’ll have a go at his new puzzles but it can take him a while to get round to new things. He’ll go back to his old favourites for a while. I think he has some things he may get straight into this year though😃.

Once dinner arrives James sits at the head of the table and laps up the attention. When he and Grandad are both finished, they’ll be off together again and the rest of us kick back and let dinner go down. When we’ve made room for pudding, James will join us again for a mince pie and custard.  

Keeping Everything Crossed

As I write this, I’m conscious that our plans could change at any moment should any of us test positive for Covid or new restrictions come in. However, as things stand, I’m picking James up at lunchtime on Christmas Eve and he’s staying with us until the 27^th Dec. It will be the longest he has stayed since he moved into his flat so I hope he’ll be ok when he goes home. Hopefully he’ll enjoy showing his staff his new presents.

I wish you all a very Happy Christmas. Enjoy being with those you love like I intend to. Stay safe, look after each other and together let’s hope that 2022 will bring us greater freedom.