Rae of Light

If you’ve been following this blog for some time you’ll be aware I don’t do Christmas presents. This has resulted in the mistaken view that I’m related to the Grinch. This could not be further from the truth. It is a season I relish for several reasons which are about to become very clear to you. In truth, one of my favourites relies on a turn in the weather. The minute I feel the merest ear tingling nip in the air it means I can begin to indulge in earnest. But indulge in what? Hats of course. I love wearing hats and find it as difficult to turn my back on a good hat as I do to shut my eyes when I pass a shoe shop. I’m not entirely sure where this love of hats comes from but I decided long ago not to fight it. I tend to favour hats which hark back to the 20s, 30s & 40s. And who can blame me? They just scream style as far as I’m concerned. You only have to watch an episode of The House of Eliott to see what I mean. By now I’m sure you’re wondering what ...

So dear readers, as you know, I launched my new Christmas regime on my unsuspecting family and friends. Little realising that my wording didn't quite reflect the thoughts in my head. When I was found dancing and singing round the Kitchen to Christmas songs on the radio as the festive season began, there was stunned surprise from my boyriend at the time. “ I thought you didn't like Christmas”, he declared. “ That's not what I said.” Astonishment from me. “ Yes it is.” Emphatically. The relationship ended. Not that day. But it was an inkling that communication was an issue. It got me thinking however, if one person got it wrong then maybe others did too. I had failed to make my case clearly. So, here's the deal people. I LOVE THE FESTIVE SEASON What I hate is the commercialisation of it, the decorations in shops about a week after the Easter eggs have left the shelves, the endless ads designed to get the li...

Several years ago now, due to a serious lack of money round about the festive season, I decided I was no longer going to dole out Christmas gifts. Little did I know this announcement would make some of my friends and family view me as a scrooge . I forgot that people are not privy to my inner thoughts and didn't understand my internal processes. So I think it's time I set the record straight. Christmas, for me, has always been a truly joyous time of year. My childhood was full to the brim with wonderful Christmas experiences. My favourite thing of all was the never ending visiting of friends and family we got to do. And believe you me, there were lots of those. My parents had an extensive social circle and more cousins than you could shake a stick at . I've never really known what that expression means but I'm using it anyway. You see, it was never about the presents. Birthdays, in my view, are when the presents count the most...