Ho Ho Ho

Yup, it’s that time of year again. I seem to be digging the decorations out quicker and quicker each year, it doesn’t seem like five minutes ago I was hanging things on the tree and cursing at broken lights. Although saying that it feels like a lifetime ago that we were trying to cook for and feed twelve people!

I love this time of year though, despite all the hassle and hurry that seems to go along with buying presents and the multitude of social events, it always feels really relaxing and nice. I use the time off as a massive wind-down, which usually coincides with a massive let-out of my belt ;). I’ve got a couple of weeks left at work now, and I’m desperately writing procedures to cope with the new computer system that’s been brought in in the hope of my phone staying silent for the entire time.

Every year up until now I’ve always gone for a real tree, and it’s become a bit of a tradition, going to choose one, figuring out how the hell it’ll go in the car, then battling with sap and needles as it goes up. This year however I’ve taken advantage of the double-up promotion for the Tesco clubcard vouchers and bought a really nice fake one. I’ll miss the smell of a real tree for sure, but now that it’s up and lit I keep forgetting it’s artificial, even to the extent that I’m trying to avoid brushing against the branches so the needles don’t get knocked off. I seem to be getting more refined (shhh!) in my old age though, I only have two sets of lights up in the whole house. Anyone who’s seen my house on past Christmases will know that although I don’t do anything outside really, the inside is lit up like a nightclub.

During my festive sabbatical I’ll also be devoting a lot of time to sitting on the sofa and playing games (or jumping up and down in front of the sofa, thanks Kinect), so I’m on the lookout for bargains to keep me entertained. I bought Battlefield Bad Company 2 last week after months of indecision – and finding it for 20 quid – what a game! I’m still mostly playing through the single player campaign (which in my opinion easily rivals the COD games), but I’ve dipped my toes in the multiplayer as well which works really well. I always loved the Battlefield games on the PC (well, Vietnam and 2, I never really got on with 1942) and this really seems to have kept the same spirit alive. Other than that though, my games shelves are looking sparse.

That’s actually a massive lie, I have tons of games, but I haven’t got anything I want to play or haven’t finished. I’m hoping for some last-minute bargains if I’ve got any money left over after the Christmas shopping’s all done :).

I’ve already had the first socials of the season, including the club’s annual awards night, which was a rousing success and loads of fun, and also the Strauss night I’ve mentioned before on here, but I’ve still got my work’s do, my other half’s work’s do, a night out with my friends, a Christmas meal for my parents’ business and other stuff to go to too. That’s a lot of turkey, a lot of alcohol, and a lot of Calories to come :S. Well, they say it’s the season to be jolly, right? And fat people are meant to be Jolly. I must be ecstatic! 😀