My take on Christmas

Dorothy Koomson: My Christmas

What’s your favourite Christmas memory?
I have so many great Christmas memories (and just as many not so great ones) that it’s hard to choose a favourite as such. One year, I spent Christmas Day laying the flooring in my bathroom. Another year I spent it with my sister and her husband. Then there was my first ‘hot’ Christmas in Australia where I spent it with lots of people who were also far away from home. We ate outside by the pool and had to battle with the flies for the food. I also had my fortune told by a Greek witch who was spookily accurate. This is going to be my first cold Christmas in two years so I’m sure it’ll be wonderful too.

What’s the worst present you’ve ever received (or given!)?
Ohhh, I don’t generally receive ‘bad’ presents for Christmas. Most people know me pretty well and will give me something small or I say not to bother getting me anything major because I don’t actually need anything.

I do remember for my birthday someone I was seeing gave me Judge Dredd on video. I should probably put that in context: Judge Dredd was my hero from a very early age (I’m a complete sci-fi geek on the sly). When the film was made they destroyed the story. I mean, he took off his helmet – that was the whole point in the comics, you never saw his face – which just added to my dislike of the film. So, when this guy presented me with the video – feeling very pleased with himself, I might add – I didn’t know what to say except thank you. Then he made me sit through the horror of it all over again. ON MY BIRTHDAY. Obviously, as soon as I opened the supermarket carrier bag he’d wrapped it in, I knew it wasn’t going to work out between us. Seeing as my birthday isn’t at Christmas, that probably isn’t a very relevant story but that’s probably the worst present I’ve ever received.

Ironically, I’m renowned for giving ‘bad’ presents in that I don’t generally give them. I have a real issue with the whole ‘want’ and ‘need’ thing and very few people I know need much of anything so every Christmas I buy my loved ones goats, etc for people in developing countries, or give money to a chosen charity (a set amount per person). I also send email Christmas cards because they’re ecologically friendly and will be something I’ve messed around with on the computer.

What are your plans for this Christmas?
I have no clue! I’m not that much of a planner for things like Christmas. I may have friends and family over or I may spend it on my own - I’ll probably find out what’s going on about three minutes before it happens. Last New Year’s Eve I was in Australia and even though I knew it was my last one over there, I didn’t have anything planned but I had faith that something would turn up. And then, around 6pm my friend called and invited me to a last-minute party. Her flat overlooked Sydney Harbour Bridge so we got to see all the spectacular fireworks (nobody does New Year fireworks like the Aussies) without having to traipse around the streets looking for a space to sit and stand.

Are you giving any books this Christmas?
Only to my godson and any other children I know. (Children are exempt from the no pressies rule but they often get books.) I can’t think of anything I may give just yet – there are still more than three minutes until the ‘big’ day so I’ve got time.

What book would you most like to receive this Christmas?
Honestly? A copy of the repackaged The Chocolate Run. I haven’t seen the new cover on the book yet, so I’d love that. It sounds silly, but to have my first two novels sporting new, beautiful looks would be a wonderful present. Rather sadly, things like that make me really happy.

Any tips for surviving the festive period?
Here’s how I survive:

•    I buy decorations and – rarely – a tree whenever I’m passing a shop that sells them. I don’t go out specially. The same goes for Christmas drinks, food, etc. Or I ignore it until the last minute and do it all two days before Christmas. It cuts down on my stress levels – either I have all those weeks of not worrying about it until the eleventh hour or I do it to fit in with everything else.

•    I try not to take it all so seriously. It’s difficult, but if things go wrong – as they always seem to do no matter how much planning goes on – I try not to get too upset and remember that if I’m with others, they’re usually people I love and who want to be with me. If they want the über-perfect hostess with the mostess, then they’re with the wrong woman. Plus, it’s only a day. If I put things into perspective by thinking that I could be living Christmas Day and all its attendant stresses every day, you realise it could be worse. Also, if you set the bar lower for what makes a great Christmas, you’ll be far less stressed about it.

•    If I go out partying, I know I’m supposed to take my make-up off and drink a lot of water before I go to sleep. Having facial cleansing wipes and a bottle of water beside my bed means I actually do those things now.

•    I accept that spending time with other people when there’s an air of expectation ‘to have a good time’ will inevitably lead to frayed tempers. So, I plan an escape – even if it’s mapping out a spot to go read a book or listen to music for a while. It’s best for everyone involved – them as well as me.

•    I buy extra crockery, cutlery and pans. Why? Because then I have an option of not washing up on Christmas Day. I’ll still have stuff to cook in and eat from – and it doesn’t lead to that seething resentment that can build up from missing the movie because I’m elbow-deep in soapy water whilst everyone else has their feet up.

•    I watch the soaps. Seriously, very few people are going to have as miserable a time as the people in Soapsville.

Posted 20/11/2007 16:53:58 by Dorothy Koomson with 0 comments.