Snow was falling, snow on snow...

[strange_complex]

Ooh, so it did snow in the end, even in Birmingham! I thought for a while there that the whole of the rest of the country was going to get it, but not us.

I have just been watching Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, taped from earlier in the evening, sitting as I did so in the middle of the lounge floor wrapped up in a huge double quilt,

Comments

[stompyboots]

Snap! It's good to see we're not the only family to do Christmas properly, with lots of food and traditions.

I think yours is the only other family I've ever encountered where presents are opened one-by-one, rather than in a dog-eat-dog snarl of unwrapping.

[strange_complex]

We used to do dog-eat-dog as well, but then we realised it was all over rather too quickly that way. Now, we use the method which prolongs the pleasure for the greatest possible time.

[stompyboots]

Much the same as us! We open stocking presents one by one, all taking turns, sitting on my parents' bed, by which point it's usually 11. Then we start cooking, snack on pate and smoked salmon, and go off for a long walk. Tree presents are finally opened around 5/6, and then we have supper at 8. Telly is always banned on principle, but it's a moot point in France, as we don't even have a set.

[strange_complex]

Yes, that is a pretty close match, except that we don't do the long walk, instead opening our tree presents over coffee after lunch (so about 2 or 3ish). There's no specific rule about the television, and it quite often does get switched on in the late afternoon, by which point people are alternating between sitting around playing with their new presents in the lounge, and helping out with dinner (usually timed for about 7ish). This year, though, I don't think it did happen to get switched on at all, except so that I could tape Harry Potter, which was on while we had our dinner.

Oh, and good on you and your sister for managing an argument-free Christmas, by the way.

[stompyboots]

Thanks! We've had a few close calls since, but she's off tomorrow afternoon, so with any luck we'll have made it through the whole holiday without upsetting my mum.

When are you back to Belfast? If you can be arsed with all the trains, Cat, Ed, and Sam are coming down to my flat for a cocktail party, and it would be lovely to see you. Lots of effort, though, so I understand if you're only there in spirit.

[strange_complex]

Actually, I'm going back exactly this afternoon, I'm afraid. I would have loved to come otherwise. As you know, I did kind of hope I'd be able to go down to Oxford at some time during my stay here, but I only have 10 days in all, and I realised there was so much stuff going on elsewhere, I wouldn't have a chance to do that and get in the rest I desperately needed. I hope you have a lovely time, though, and I shall be there in spirit!