Normally by this time, I'd be really excited about Christmas.
But being in the desert just doesn't feel right at all, and has left me pining for home.
I love my house at Christmas - my mum is the most tasteful Christmas decorator ever. Everything is simple, yet beautiful, from the faux snow covered fur tree in the lounge, to the home made floral centre piece on the dining room table and the home made floral garland on the fireplace, to the Nativity in the hall. She even hangs a sprig of mistletoe in the living room, and the lounge always smells of Christmas spice candles.
In the run up to Christmas she bakes shortbread and Florentines, which we'll have on Christmas morning while we open presents. We'll have sausages and apricots in bacon too, because none of us can wait until Christmas lunch, washed down with champagne.
My brother and my sister in law will come over and bring the dogs, who will lay in a sea of wrapping paper watching us opening our presents.
Come lunch time, my mum always makes an amazing Christmas dinner - a huge roast turkey, a gammon joint, all the trimmings. We'll pull crackers, tell our cracker jokes, and then play a daft game round the table (last year we all had to wear celebrity masks and ask questions to find out who we were, and a game of wind-up reindeer racing - I won!) Normally we have way too many desserts - home made Christmas cake, chocolate log (my favourite), pavlova, and a giant cheese board.
After lunch, more drinks and board games, a Christmas movie, and a nap thrown in there somewhere, followed by dipping back into the cheese board! Perfect day of eating, drinking and quality family time.
Needless to say, Christmas in the desert won't quite be the same. That's not to say we aren't trying to be as festive as possible. We've bought a tree for the apartment, lit the Christmas scented candles, and our presents are under the tree.
A big group of us from work are here for Christmas, and we've booked a table at the W hotel at the Spice Market restaurant for their Christmas brunch. We're all taking part in a secret Santa, so everyone will get a gift at the table. It will be a day of eating lots, drinking lots, and making the best of being away from our families.
Iv got a feeling I'm going to struggle - this will be the first Christmas in 26 years that iv spent away from my parents. In a bid to cheer me up and get me in the Christmas spirit, my mum sent over a parcel of comedy Christmas jumpers which will all be getting an outing at some point over the coming weeks!
Now here's hoping Santa brings me what I've asked for this year!
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