Changes are lightsome, Ali Bacon takes a long hard look at some cherished Christmas traditions.
Christmas is all about tradition, isn’t it? And ever since I had to give in to my in-laws’ edict that presents were opened after lunch (outrageous!) I’ve clung on for dear life to the remnants of my Yuletide habits. So on Christmas Eve, while the family settled down to Cool Runnings or Home Alone , I’d be in spendid isolation in the kitchen, soaking up the traditional beauty of Carols from Kings - most likely with my hand up a turkey's backside. Yes, for me Hark the Herald is synonymous with an oniony tear in my eye. Oh well, it's traditional. Long before Christmas Eve, I'd be chuntering on about how the sideboard was constantly littered with bits of tin-foil and cardboard, and how advent calendars were meant to be about the nativity. When we got more space I insisted on only ever having a calendar WITHOUT CHOCOLATE ( not an easy thing to find let me tell you.) Selection boxes on the other hand were fine. We had them every year. They were traditional. ...