2020 Christmas Day ticked off the list as another unusual ‘event’ day this year.  On the plus side, having been out walking both yesterday and this morning, there was considerable lack of cans, bottles, glasses, party streamers etc on the paths, so that was good.

Andy Knott, who will be familiar to some of you, sent over some topical Christmas Cracker jokes including:-

Did you hear that production was down at Santa’s workshop? Many of his workers have had to elf isolate.

Why won’t Santa lose any presents this year? He’s downloaded Sack and Trace

Why wasn’t Rudolph allowed to take part in vaccine trials? Because they only wanted guinea pigs

Which Government scheme supports Christmas dinner? Eat Sprout To Help Out.  And, the best one …..

Why is it best to think of 2020 like a panto? Because eventually, it’s behind you.

Boxing Day.  Racing at Kempton.  Instead of the good family outing this year, it will be on ITV, which won’t be quite the same.  Did any of you have an Escalado Horse Racing game as a youngster?  What about Scaletrix?  I know the latter will be coming out in a household in Whitton, along with Brussel Sprouts putting for one very competitive family!  Christmas jigsaws and quizzes will no doubt be making an appearance in other homes along with new books and snoozing in front of the tv/radio.

I’m looking forward to The Repair Shop at Christmas tonight, followed by the Great British Sewing Bee Celebrity Christmas Special both on BBC1.  “Dunkirk” follows those programmes.  It’s had great reviews and it’s the “Film of the Day” recommendation in The Times (there are other newspapers available).

For our family, Boxing Day Food used to comprise cold Turkey, Branston Pickle, Pickled Beetroot, Pickled Onions and Jacket Potatoes for Mum and me while Dad and my brother preferred a re-run of the full Christmas dinner.  This year I’m swapping the turkey for ham and the Branston for Coleslaw.  My brother’s family always have Turkey Curry.  Sounds good but Yorkshire is a long way away and they’re in Tier 2, so won’t be going there!  Have you any Boxing Day favourites?  Bubble & Squeak? The whole of the Cadbury’s Selection Box?  Will you be spending an hour trying to get walnuts out of their shells in one piece?

In these days of unrest, it’s good to have some familiar traditions to help keep us stable and sane between all the hand-face-space that has occupied our minds for the last 9+ months !

Enjoy your day and stay safe and if you think you’ll go crackers by spending yet another day on your own, please pick up the phone.  The person you ring may well be feeling just like you!

Dawn