A PERFECT CHRISTMAS

Janette Giffin writes:                                            

“Peace on Earth Goodwill to Man” is the first thing that comes to mind. This would be my idea of a perfect Christmas but it is a vain hope.

Christmas time can be a time of conflict and petty jealousies among people who only come together at this time of the year and so hardly know one another. Old wounds are opened and former grievances renewed. Peace in the world must start with the individual.

So, for a perfect Christmas perhaps we must go back to the basics of what is really is about. Not children with more toys and electronic gadgets than they ever need, not so much food that it would feed a third world village for a week, not fighting and arguing and being selfish.

For me a quiet relaxing day surrounded by family, especially grandchildren with gifts especially chosen or made for each one, lots of Christmas Bush and an Australian Christmas Tree decorated by the children would be perfect.

I would enjoy inviting folks to dinner who were by themselves and without family at Christmas time. I enjoy sending out cards to friends with whom I have little contact otherwise and hearing how they have fared since the last Christmas. Some are still inveterate travellers; some continue to study; others do the grey nomad thing while others enjoy doing charity work.

As a child, I loved to go to Mark Foys and walk through the “caves” where there were scenes of the Christmas story and the Nativity and, of course, Santa who terrified me.

When I lived in Sydney I loved go to the Christmas carols in the Domain and now watch the performance on TV. Christmas carols are an important part of my Christmas and I seem to play the many CDs I have constantly at that time of the year.

So now my idea of a perfect Christmas is simply staying home, listening to music and indulging in small treats which can only be bought at Christmastime especially the German goodies like Stollen, Spekulatius, Lebkuchen etc.