A British Christmas

This year, we had decided not to come to the US for Christmas, but hadn't really decided what we were going to do. Then our friends Helen and Daron from England decided to invite us to have Christmas with them!!!! They usually do a big Christmas with Daron's family, so they checked if it would be okay if we came, and Daron's parents enthusiastically invited us to come over. Woohoo!!! So our holiday plans were set.

We arrived on the night of Dec. 23rd, after a hellish traveling day. But we slept in the next morning and then had a blissfully relaxing 24th at home. In the evening Daron took us out to see the lights. Anyone who has spent a Christmas with knows that I am like a kid when I go out to see Christmas lights. I gasp, point and clap my hands. But Daron and Helen didn't know this. So, I think they were surprised at my reactions as they pointed out another beautiful light display.

The next morning we all got up around 9 and then to my chagrin they all acted like adults!!!! Fuddy duddying around getting ready for the trip to Daron's family's house, feeding the fish, making tea, cleaning house, showering...oh my gawd it went on FOREVER!!! Until finally I couldn't take it anymore!!! Helen was sitting down with her breakfast and I finally broke. "Pressies!!!!" I exclaimed. "When are we going to do pressies?!" Helen was a bit startled, and Dave burst out laughing. He was wondering how long I'd last. He told Helen that I had been so restrained, but it probably won't last much longer. So, Helen ate her breakfast as politely fast as she could and we all finally sat down in front of the tree.

After our morning Christmas festivities we packed up and headed over to Daron's family's house. We had an amazing time over there. We really did feel like part of the family. Maureen, Daron's mom is so cute. She's this round very maternal looking woman with short blonde hair and she looks so "soft" you just want to hug her all the time. She was wearing a very elegant green outfit for Christmas dinner and so she definitely looked like Mother Christmas. And you should have seen the spread she cooked up for dinner!!! It was incredible! There was turkey and cranberry sauce of course. But she started with a shrimp cocktail atop a salmon mouse. Then the turkey, but she also served Lamb with a delectable mint sauce, grilled sweet parsnips, mashed potatoes, red cabbage, brussel sprouts....the meal seemed to go on forever. She had marked each place setting with a little gift which was charming wrapped. And there was plenty of wine flowing.

Then came the gifts. Dave and I brought some of our own so that we wouldn't make everyone else feel bad that we didn't have anything, but to our surprise Maureen had put together two bulging stockings for us!!!! We felt like little kids pulling all those little goodies out of huge stockings. It was so thoughtful. After gifts, we had bread pudding with custard and cream. Mmmmmm.....a perfect end to a wonderful evening.

The next day Helen's Mom and Dad came to Helen's place and we spent the day with them. I had met Helen's mom before but never her Dad. Both her parents are real characters and had us laughing most of the day. They told us stories of their young adventurous days where they were going to take 5 years to travel around the world. THe were going to do most of their travelling on a motorcycle, but the trip got cut short when they had an accident on thier bike about a couple months into their trip, in the midwest of the US. They talked about it like it was nothing, just par for the course. But, sadly, they needed to end the trip and rethink things. Unfortunately the 5 year trip never happened, but they still had lots of adventures to share with us. Helen's Dad has this huge smile and laughs easily, and her Mom just jibes him lovingly constantly. It was very entertaining. And another great day.

I had worried a bit about how our Christmas would be this year without family. I really missed everyone at home deeply. But I think this Christmas I really learned that Christmas is more about sharing than anything else. And I was able to share with family and friends at home in little ways even from here. And it felt really good. And I also got to experience the way other families share and celebrate. What a wonderful way to end our year on this adventure of ours. It was a fabulous end to an amazing year!