December 18th, 2025Just sayin’…
Christmas is upon us. How did that happen? And how did 2026 almost arrive as well? I remember looking for an outfit for 2000 – the year we all thought the computers would crash. And nothing happened.
So many years come and go now, it’s hard to keep up. I remember some Christmasses and others I have long forgotten.
I remember getting up early one morning when I was about 10 and seeing a bicycle for my younger brother in the lounge. Dragster I would imagine. On the way back to bed, I snuck into his room to wake him up and tell him – stopping just before I got around to the spoiling the surprise. Even at 10 I had too much empathy.
Another year I remember opening a tallie of beer, pouring some into my dog’s bowl, and then pushing the cap back on and carefully placing it back in the fridge – on its side of course. The dog got a bit pissed and my dad was also pissed off because the beer leaked everywhere. So hard to please everyone at Christmas.
We never had stocking fillers, our stockings were pillowcases. One year I saw my sister get all the little treats that I would have loved. And I got all the stuff she would have wanted. I think mum and dad might have had a little too much Christmas cheer that night.
I had a white Christmas once, when I was living in Japan in my early 20s. I went to a friend’s house, a Canadian girl, who was making a full Christmas dinner using a benchtop oven. We are talking turkey, stuffing, potatoes, all the veggies…and I had eggnog for the first time. It was fantastic. I looked out the window and snow was falling. It was like a miracle for a kid from Franganistan.
Kyle and I have had some great orphans’ Christmases. You know, when you are living away and have no family to share the day with. One year, in Cairns, we took a chicken and champagne picnic to Crystal Cascades and then scared ourselves witless that there might be crocs in the water. So we headed to a new James Bond movie, had dinner in a Chinese restaurant and headed home to our apartment – which had no aircon back in the day – and spent most of the night in the apartment’s pool.
Another time at Glenlyon, we had friends coming around with all of the food. Mum was with us and kept saying ‘I am sure you should be doing something’. But no, one couple origiuinally from America brought the turkey and gravy, another, a chef, the pav and some others potatoes – which the chef quickly got into shape.
It was a fantastic day and not one argument about who got the first bike, or who was the favourite child. Very grown up and yet a lot of fun.
This year we are heading to friends in Melbourne. A family affair without a single family member we have to worry about. She has about 15 coming and I checked if she could handle two more after the invite. “I don’t know Donna, but let’s find out.”
So we will be with old, as in long-time friends, and lots of people we don’t know. I asked what we could bring and everyone pretty much has it covered. I am down to a salad and will do my best to make it interesting, but let’s face it, it’s probably lettuce, tomato, red onion and cucumber. Maybe fancy it up with some Greek cheese?
Anyhow, it will be a nice day with great company and I am sure great food – and maybe a chardy. And what else do you need?
I hope you have a lovely Christmas – whether you are with friends, family or just chilling out for the day. And if you are struggling with life, I hope you are OK and remember it is just one day. And some years are just better than others. Or worse.
Then we are all back on the wheel – until New Year’s. And just another night, and it’s into 2026 we slide.
Wishing you all a happy and fun Christmas and we’ll catch you for the “retrospective” or “lazy” edition on December 29. Just sayin’…
