Kate Bohdanowicz

So, it’s a Saturday night in mid December. The tree has been up for 24 hours, I’ve just finished a wrapping present spree and it’s dawned on me that I’m actually looking forward to Christmas. 

Don’t get me wrong, I don't hate Christmas. I just recognise something in me that wasn’t there before – a specific interest in and even small flutter of excitement about the forthcoming celebrations.

I’ve been trying to work out what it is. Why do I feel differently this year? I think it’s down to the following:

The first and most obvious point would be I now share my home with my boyfriend. I no longer feel “lonely this Christmas” as Mud are prone to sing. I can no longer say “it’s not worth” buying a tree just for me, so we bought one together and hey, we bought a big one. Ditto, an advent calendar. Of course I wouldn’t have a chocolate advent calendar if I lived on my own. I’m 41 for God’s sake. But buying each other one seemed fun. Hell even the cat’s got one. So, a mahoosive tree in the corner and three advent calendars on the fireplace make it impossible not to feel a little festive.

I no longer work full time. Anyone who works in a newspaper knows the show must go on and as Christmas Day is the only day the papers aren’t printed, you can never take that much of a break. Now I have a dual career as a teacher and journalist, my part-time job in adult education ended on Thursday. Thankfully I’ve got quite a bit of freelance journalism on and yesterday I was at my desk at 8am but knocked off at 4pm to get the tree. I don’t have to squeeze everything into evenings and weekends. I work the hours that suit me. I am working a few hours on Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year but it’s from a laptop, it’s well-paid and it’s my choice. Plus it gets me out of peeling spuds.

I no longer work full-time in an office. However, I don’t miss out on the annual shindig as I’m still invited to the office Christmas party. As I only dip in now for occasional shifts, I’m not embroiled in office politics and I genuinely look forward to catching up with my ex-colleagues. Plus, as I’m no longer there, we won’t spend the night talking about work. That means I can do what so many other full-time workers can't - I can look forward to the office Christmas party!

I don’t go into town so much. That means I don’t shop so much in town. I’ve been shopping locally in Walthamstow at the myriad designer, retro and vintage fairs. I’ve bought handmade one-off stuff made for by friends rather than panic-buying an aisle in Marks and Spencer. Now, come on, you can’t walk round a Christmas fair and not feel Christmassy. Well I’ve been going to these regularly since last month and this has kept the festive fever topped up.

My family and I aren’t spending much this year. It takes a lot of pressure off. I don’t trudge round town (see above) throwing money at unwanted gifts. Also, I realise a bottle of sparkle goes a long way and Prosecco and Cava are more than worthy substitutes for Champagne.

So, all in all, this is why I’m enjoying Christmas. This is why I walk down streets pointing out the decorations outside houses (I’m amazed so many do it – I don’t remember these flashing Santas and fairy light-filled bushes as a kid. Too many power cuts I expect). This is why I’ve stocked up on mince pies and keep on telling people: “Go on, it’s Christmas” and using words like “magical” and inhaling the pine scent of my Christmas tree. 

Next year it might be different but until then, Happy Christmas. 

Oh and if you do read this blog regularly, thankyou. I do love comments on the website, so please, feel free. Go on, it's Christmas.  

Festive SEO: Jingle bell journalist, tinsel teacher, advent author.