Archive Article: 1998/01/23
It is hyped out of all proportion I know, but I cant help it: I am a Christmas person.
Did the girls want to go to the panto? No, Mum did. I wouldnt admit it, but I was quite tempted by the flashing reindeer headgear all the youngsters were wearing too, but I thought this would be taking my eccentricities a little too far.
I love the lights, the atmosphere, even writing the cards which seems to take me for-
ever, and I wouldnt miss Michael and Marys Christmas tea-party for anything, even though our offspring are now out dating in preference to carol singing.
Over the years the lesson has been well learnt, that if there isnt time to make it, then buy it or manage without. I have memories of getting bogged down in a quandary of baking mince pies, making the stuffing and so on when the children were small – as a matter of duty and loathing the pressure I fell under. Now I dont worry, I do what I can, then I cheat.
A very good example of this was New Years Eve. The Greens had been over for their usual five-day Christmas and left to be replaced by our Scottish friends from the days of Conrick – Rog and Carmen Wood and Claudia. We were having a dinner for 12 which Tim had decided should be as stress free as possible (largely due to the fact that we were beginning to flag a little, but also so that no one would be working in the kitchen all evening). Preparations that day meant nipping into town to the butchers to collect the meat, boned, stuffed and rolled ducks legs made to look like little ducks, and buying the bread. Moving furniture – dining table into lounge, where Claudias skills at origami napkins came into play – the set table looked lovely.
The queue outside the fish shop at 6pm made interesting viewing as folk left with their platters of seafood and oysters beautifully made up (similarly at the charcuterie amazing dishes of cold meats, pâté de foie gras and decorative gelatine were coming out protected by Cellophane and fancy ribbons). We had an assortment of seafood prepared, cutting down on expense by ordering for eight-10 rather than 12 as there is always too much! French style veg (one or two) left little preparation, Cherry and friends were bringing dessert – two wonderful Christmas logs, fruit and vanilla, and chocolate. Et voila!
Nicolas, who worked for us as shepherd when Tim had his car accident, came and was fascinated. He couldnt imagine the reaction of a French wife after taking time to prepare an attractive table, having it instantly smothered with empty cracker wrappings and streamers. Having been with us on Christmas Day too, he was prepared with a party-piece and willing to join in the forfeits!
This all seems very flippant I know, but we are heading into a New Year with very large question marks hanging over the future of agriculture following yet another difficult year. We should be reaping the benefits of our cows milking well at the momen. Instead Tim is selling so we wont be penalised for going over quota. It would be very easy to fall into a depression simply by watching the news every day, so flippant or not, irresponsible or not, the news goes off and once a year I become a Christmas person.
Chrissie and Tim Green celebrated the New Year with a dinner for 12.