Christmas PAST

The Holidays Came and Went!

Ah, Christmas! That magical time of year when we stash away our pennies for months, all in the name of festive cheer, indulgence, and a bit of family fun. Well, this year was no different, and what a jolly good time it was. Between the laughter, the food, and the inevitable catching up with friends and family, we managed to find some much-needed relaxation after a year that felt like it was dragging its feet.

Both Michele and I were more than ready for the holidays. We both clocked off work at midday on Christmas Eve, eager to dive headfirst into the festive preparations. The plan was simple: get home, start prepping for the big Christmas Day meal, and let the holiday spirit wash over us. But of course, plans never go quite as expected, do they?

A Christmas Eve Adventure

Just as I was about to get comfortable, I realised that I had to dash back to Manchester at the rather inconvenient hour of 21:30. Why, you ask? Well, our son Lewis needed a lift home from work since the public transport had already decided to call it quits for the holidays. No rest for the wicked, as they say!

But all was not lost. Upon returning home, I treated myself to a cheeky glass of whiskey as Michele and I set up the living room with all the Christmas gifts, ready for the grand unveiling in the morning. Nothing quite like a late-night tipple to get you in the festive mood!

Christmas Day: An Early Start

Christmas Day at our house kicked off bright and early at 08:00, not because we’re a bunch of eager beavers, but because Lewis had to be back at work by 10:00. The joys of having a son who’s in demand even on Christmas Day! We did manage to squeeze in a bit of family time before he dashed off, though. And let me tell you, we were greeted by a beautiful sight—a stunning frost pattern on the velux windows. Mother Nature was clearly showing off.

As the morning progressed, both sets of parents arrived in good spirits. There’s something wonderfully chaotic about having everyone together under one roof. More presents were exchanged, and the house was soon littered with wrapping paper and joyful chatter.

The Feast and Festivities

By lunchtime, Michele and I had whipped up a traditional Christmas meal that would have made even the most seasoned chef proud. Roast turkey, all the trimmings, and enough gravy to swim in. We all tucked in heartily, savouring every bite. After all, Christmas calories don’t count, right?

Post-lunch, we indulged in a round of charades. It’s become a bit of a family tradition, and nothing says Christmas quite like watching your nearest and dearest make fools of themselves trying to mime out “Jaws” or “Titanic.” It was all in good fun, of course, and the drinks that followed only added to the merriment.

Lewis returned from work looking a tad weary, but nothing that a plate of leftover Christmas dinner couldn’t fix. After all, there’s nothing like a good meal to revive the spirit.

Boxing Day Adventures

Boxing Day rolled around, and it was more of the same for Lewis—back to work he went. As for the rest of us, we decided to make the most of the day by heading over to Altrincham, with a quick detour through Knutsford to pick up Mum’s sister. Our destination? The Hare and Hounds in Timperley, where we gathered to celebrate Mum’s birthday with a hearty meal.

Following the feast, we made our way to Mum and Dad’s place, where the present exchange continued. Sam, Matt, Harry, Drew, and my brother’s family were all in attendance, making it quite the lively affair. Unfortunately, Drew’s girlfriend Fran wasn’t able to join us as she was spending the holidays with her own family. I do hope she had a marvellous time, though!

Skydiving Shenanigans

The day after Boxing Day, we were treated to another glorious display from Mother Nature—blue skies with fluffy white and pink clouds. Perfect weather for our next adventure: indoor skydiving at Airkix near the Trafford Centre. This was one of the lads’ Christmas presents, and excitement was in the air, albeit with a hint of apprehension from Lewis and Will. On the other hand, Josh and Max were raring to go!

Now, here’s where things got a bit cheeky. During the training session, the boys were offered the chance to do a “high fly,” which meant soaring three storeys up instead of hovering at a lower level. Sounds thrilling, doesn’t it? But here’s the catch—it came with an extra fiver charge, which, mind you, wasn’t mentioned until the very last minute. So, a word to the wise: always read the fine print (or at least ask for it)!

A Lazy Friday and a Sharp Surprise

Friday was supposed to be a lazy day, the kind where you stay in your pyjamas until noon and leisurely enjoy a cup of tea. And it was, until Lewis decided to test out the sharpness of a new knife he’d received as a Christmas gift from Drew. Spoiler alert: the knife won. One quick (and rather painful) slice later, and Lewis was off to the walk-in centre to get his thumb patched up. Ah, the joys of new gadgets!

Later that evening, we welcomed our dear family/friends Warren, Dawn, and Adam over for a cosy night in. We treated them to Dawn’s favourite—a hearty beef casserole cobbler that had everyone going back for seconds. Even Lewis, who once again had been at work, managed to snag some leftovers. It was a late night, filled with good food, laughter, and a long-overdue catch-up with the Bray family. Sometimes, it’s these small gatherings that make the holidays truly special.

Sunday’s Healing Touch

By Sunday, we were all ready for a bit of a breather. Our long-time friend Helen popped by to check on Lewis’s thumb and give it a fresh bandage. It’s always a comfort having a nurse in the friendship circle, isn’t it? We ended up spending the evening chatting away, catching up on life. It had been far too long since we last saw her, and it was lovely to reconnect.

Awaiting the New Year

With all the Christmas festivities behind us, we now find ourselves in that lovely lull before the New Year. It’s a time to reflect, relax, and recharge before the world starts spinning at full speed again. And so, we’re soaking up these final days of the holiday season, grateful for the memories made and looking forward to what’s next.