By: Blonde Two
We try to have a “waste not, want not” policy in the household Blonde Two (please note, this is not the same thing as the Christmas cheese “waist not” policy). Our system even extends to Christmas trees; which is why I had to leave the house for a couple of hours yesterday morning. Let me explain (no, really be quiet and let me explain);
We had the most beautiful Christmas tree this year but I have to admit to some pangs of guilt about our “cut down” tree after Blonde One and I had spent so much time communing with the “alive and well” Dartmoor Christmas Tree (anthropomorphism – a favourite word – at its finest). You can imagine then, the trauma that I felt at the thought of Mr B2 chopping the house tree up into burnable sized pieces. As I said, “waste not want not” and it will eventually help to keep the house warm; but it did seem a bit mean, kind of like charcoaling a distant Kiwi cuzzie (cousin) on the barbecue.
It is Twelfth Night soon and Blonde One and I will be doing our annual arboreal tidy up. Please don’t worry though, there will be no chopping down, just de-baubling, giggling and maybe a bit of singing.
Called Sir Hugh a couple of days ago and he answered the phone breathless. He! A veteran of long, long GRs and LE to JoG. Lowering his voice he said: I’m getting rid of the Christmas decorations. Added a snigger. Just mentioned this to suggest your pangs do you credit. Ours (decorations not pangs) went yesterday but then Twelfth Night was never my favourite; always thought Malvolio was badly treated.
Malvolio, did he come from Malvernio as well?
If I remember correctly the words I used were “dismantling Christmas”. My tree is, I have to admit artificial, but I did make a splendid job of its decoration, and with two year old Katie granddaughter in full flow this was a much more meaningful Christmas than for many a year, but I can see no point in prolonging things after New Year’s Day.
I tend to agree about not prolonging the event. The weather up at the Dartmoor Tree for 12th Night is looking particularly awful but whereas “dismantling Christmas” early is fine, doing it late is a real no-no for me, so Blonde One and I will have to brave the elements!
So the first night of Christmas – was this Christmas Eve? I’ve always reckoned so, making 12th night Sun 5th 2014. Opposite neighbours, however, think it it should be the 6th. When do you think 12th night is?