Agreed, largely. Wife and I are hosts to grown up offspring and aging parents and the amount of preparation is almost overwhelming. I have to put the rest of my life on hold for two weeks, what with the present buying and wrapping, alll the cards to write, the shopping for provisions and most of all giving the house the equivalent of a thorough spring clean inside and out.
I have it all mapped out with a lengthy to-do list, but this is disrupted by other people such as the old 'uns wanting you to do things for them, and unexpected things that weren't in the plan, such as a leak in the plumbing that I had to drop everything to fix.
By the time the big day arrives I am drained, on top of which the strain of being hosts takes its toll, what with keeping everyone fed, watered and entertained, while I despair at them treading mud onto the carpets, knocking things over and dropping litter and bits of food everywhere. And did I mention the cooking and tons of washing up?
Happy Christmas everyone
