Oh Christ!mas

I absolutely adore Christmas.

Christmas is a delicious combination of my favourite things in life; food, family, friends and of course, the now scarce afternoon nap.

When I think of the joys of Christmas, my mind instantly takes me back to my childhood, as I have so many fond memories of the George family Christmas rituals.

Each and every Christmas Eve, Christie and I would religiously prepare a plate for Santa to snack on and leave him a nice beverage to quench his thirst from all the hard work. We always left Santa a tall glass of milk, but as we got older, we thought spiking it with some Johnny Walker would be hilarious, as we discovered Andy would drink some to make us think Santa had come to visit.

I now cringe as I watch my young and naive, tomboy self in the footage which dad would film each and every Christmas. Christie was always as cute as a button with her mane of curls, chipmunk like voice and cheesy smile. I on the other hand always appeared disheveled, with my hair all over my face, wearing daggy nighties with animals or Christmas bears adorning the front and never had my legs crossed properly so bright pink underwear is prevalent in every frame.

Our reactions to the stocking fillers from "Santa" were so dramatic. We would pretend to hyperventilate and shriek with delight as we would pull out something as trivial as a set of pencils from our stockings.  Just what we always wanted.

One Christmas, "Santa" was particularly generous and left behind a  "Michael Jordan Basketball Set". I think I have watched the video footage of us unwrapping this monstrosity about a dozen times, in which Christie and I both start squealing "Ohhhhh myyyyyy gooooooddddddd! A Miiiccchhheeeaaalll Jooorrdddaannn Basssskkeeetttballlllll Set!! *insert delirious giggling here*" Essentially this was a mini basketball ring, where you fill the tank underneath with sand to keep the pole upright. It was for athletically challenged kids like Christie and I who would never develop the ability to play with a standard sized ring.

The much sought after Michael Jordan Basketball Ring of the 90's

One of my favourite childhood Christmas memories was re-kindled by a visit to the Boulevard Christmas lights a few years ago. I remember Andy loading us all the car for a trip to see the famous Christmas lights of the Boulevard. Christie and I were teeming with anticipation as we couldn't wait to go to school and tell all our friends we had seen the lights as well. Only, we never saw the bright lights of the Boulevard. Andy got a little confused and took us to the Boulevard in Bulleen rather than the one in Kew. I remember us driving up and down the street with Christie and I asking "DAAADDD, where are all the lights???"

My childhood Christmas memories are essentially all filled with much excitement, love and countless gifts from my generous uncles, aunties and Yiayia. As the years have progressed, so have the Christmas rituals changed with new additions to the family and friendship group.

I now celebrate Christmas Eve with Khoa's family, which is the most adorable event because I don't think Christmas has ever been a huge deal for them. This year, as a newly married couple I decided to invite them to have Christmas Eve dinner at our house. Besides the copious amounts of food I prepared which could have easily fed an additional 15 people, we had a great time eating, drinking, sharing a laugh and many stories. One of my favourite moments of the night was when my father in law calls out to me:

F.I.L: "Hey, Joj"

Me: " Yes Ba"

F.I.L "Next year, we say, we don't buy lots of presents and we just buy one. We put names in the hat and we pull out. They call it the K.K"

Me: "Oh yeah, KK good idea"

F.I.L: "Yes, but you not write your name and it is a secret"

Me: "Yes, thats the idea of K.K Ba"

F.I.L: " And we spend no more than fifty buck!"

Me: "Oh ok... "

F.I.L: "But I will buy something from the $2 shop and no one will know its me! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA"

You've got to love him, he has the most infectious and triumphant laugh known to man kind. The night proceeded smoothly and all my new family went home well fed, with numerous take away containers to sustain them for the following few days. 

Christmas morning is now spent at Jane and Andy's house, so we can swap presents before heading to the main event at Yiayias. Khoa and I were running late this year, so Jane had her grumpy face on when we arrived armed with presents at her front door. "YOU ARE LATE. I was hungry. We ate breakfast without you." We unloaded the car and began the song and dance that is deciding who goes first to give out gifts. I knew Jane had her eyes on our gift for her, as she had picked all the others for herself, so we intentionally said we would give them their present last.

After building much anticipation, we finally hand over the present that they were waiting for. Andy and Jane tear at the wrapping and suddenly, Jane's rejoicing "YES, YES, YES!" fills the room. We had bought both our parents robotic vacuum cleaners this year as they always comment on the one we have and how they both need it so much more than us, being old and all.

Once the gift was unwrapped, all we could hear from Andy was "No love, no, no no too much love, too much". "I don't care!!" Says Jane, "I didn't ask for it, they gave it to us! YES, YES, YES!".

Khoa and I believe the laughter which their theatrics created for both of us and Christie was well worth the money spent. It was definitely as Kodak as Christmas moments can get in the George household.

I should also mention that Christie bought me a knitted vest which I mistakenly thought was a poncho and proceeded to jam my head in the arm hole. Just to prove that Jane and Andy aren't the only ones that provide the family entertainment.

My Xmas Tree and our Stockings

So with Christmas 2011 done and dusted, I now look forward to the future Christmas' to come and the new traditions we build on each and ever year.

I hope your Christmas was just a rewarding as mine.

Until the next memoRANDOM,

George xxxx