Shropshire Magazine

Vanessa Lloyd Thomas.

Guess what? For the first time in about 20 years I really don’t mind how many days there are left until Christmas. I can say the word ‘Christmas’ without cringing, can embrace the festive season with gusto. I’m ready for Rudolph, bring it on Santa . . .

The reason for my carefree approach is simple: I’ve vowed this year to regress to a childlike delight by ditching the drudgery and only doing the good stuff. Have you ever seen a six-year-old worrying about sprouts and roast potatoes? Nope, they know Santa is bringing a new bike and they’re happy.

It’s a bit like that old game everyone played as teenagers in the 80s: What Would Madonna Do? Except in this version it has moved on a bit from whether or not to finish with boyfriends or buy a new dress or shoes.

(At this point, the Editor has asked me to make it clear to readers who didn’t play the game, that the Madonna I am talking about is Madge ‘Into the Groove’ Madonna and not Madonna, Mother of Jesus. I know you wouldn’t have thought for one moment that anyone would take even imaginary shoe advice from The Madonna, except maybe regarding serviceable sandals, because that would be silly. However, he is the Editor.)

So, am I going to the school concerts and nativities? Absolutely. Am I going to spend hours making Christmas cakes, puddings and stir-frying sprouts with bacon to try to make them less revolting. Absolutely not.

School Christmas productions are one of the highlights of the season, if you don’t include having to try to put together last-minute homemade costumes.

Fortunately my three boys have always been told to be Kings, despite all desperately fancying their year’s Mary and really wanting to be Joseph and hold hands with her and her donkey. (Sorry teens, but your mother has a long and very accurate memory!) You can do great things with evening wraps and diamante brooches, even if it does make one King look ‘bling’ rather than ‘Bethlehem’, but where would you start with a donkey costume? This year any costumes more difficult than the Magi will be shop-bought, and hang the expense.

Here’s betting that Our Madge knows how to let her hair down at Christmas . . .

Our village church Christingle in early December and carol concert on Christmas Eve are also completely fabulous and a timely reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. The only hassle is trying to organise the whole family into getting there on time, and feeding them afterwards. In keeping with my new rules, I’ll get myself there on time and take whoever else turns up from the clan to the village pub for supper afterwards.

Talking of food, gone for this year is the Good Housekeeping magazine-inspired month of homemade cooking and freezing so you have a meal for every possible occasion and guest. Gone too is the shopping for locally produced everything. I know it tastes wonderful but for now, at least, it’s so not happening.

Instead I’ve ordered everything prepared, glazed and ready to shove in the cooker from M&S, from free-range hams and turkey, to seafood, vegetables and puds. The Lazy Gits’ Christmas, as one son calls it. So he doesn’t feel too bad, I’ll let him wash up.

All the time I save I’ll spend having fun, seeing family and friends and enjoying the festive season like a great big kid (even if I don’t get a bike!). Merry Christmas!