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Carol Smith shares her Christmas memories
My childhood Christmases were very Dickensian since my father came from a large Welsh family and I had a lot of cousins. In addition, my mother always opened her doors to anyone any of us knew would be alone…overseas visitors, spinster aunts and widowers from the golf club.
For years, as an adult without any ties, I spent most Christmases travelling abroad…once up the Nile, mainly in the West Indies.
Recently, though, I’ve returned to my roots and prefer to spend Christmas in my own home, entertaining in my Kensington flat whoever has no other plans. Last year I had the place totally rebuilt with walls knocked down to open it up, so now the partying has begun in earnest.
I have it professionally decorated then throw a couple of pre-Christmas parties. On Christmas Day I’ll have Open House for friends who are at a loose end. And this year, because I am writing a ghost story, we’ll have storytelling sessions by candlelight.
I am also in charge of the tree in the lobby….I live in a large Edwardian block where for years the children have gathered to decorate the tree. These days we have many neighbours from abroad so it’s like a mini League of Nations, with the parents standing around drinking glasses of wine.
My tip for surviving the festive period? I always sign contracts with end of year deadlines; there is nothing better to help concentrate the mind.
Posted 14/12/2007 15:49:27 by Carol Smith with 0 comments.
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