Just A Small Town Girl…

Who would’ve thought that a six foot mass of green PVC plastic could bring me such joy!

So, on Sunday I finally put our Christmas tree up, under the watchful eye of my three-year-old niece who opted to watch Peppa Pig on the laptop instead of jumping at the chance to help me assemble and arrange dozens of colour-coded poles and branches (can’t blame her to be honest).

While she sipped from her beaker of Vimto, I spent about two hours hunched over piecing it all together, bit by bit: it was oddly therapeutic. Usually my mum and I put the tree up together, but this year she’s out of action with a nasty bought of the flu, so it became a solo mission for me. With a cup of tea, blasting Christmas classics like Rocking Around The Christmas Tree; Santa Baby; It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas; and Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow, I was fully in my element!

Once it was done, I grabbed my niece, elevating her as high as I could so she was able to complete our festive masterpiece. She plonked the silver star on the highest branch and then turned to face me, grinning. I lowered her back down onto the rug and asked her to cover her eyes, with one quick motion I flipped a switch and the entire tree was glowing.

The kid’s face was an absolute picture. I could see the flashing bulbs reflecting back at me in her big saucer-like eyes and then… she exploded into dance. Giggling and jumping up and down before racing around the entire house, shouting for everyone to come and look at our tree! #Priceless

I just love this time of the year, strolling around the city in the dark, passing by arrangements of lights and trees on every corner. Everyone seems to have a spring in their step, wrapped up in big puffy coats with cozy scarves and hats, discussing presents, food, and fun Christmas activities that they’re looking forward to in the next few weeks. I absolutely love it; the hustle and bustle of it all.

Not to mention I get to buy gifts for my nearest and dearest. Some may consider it a pain, but if I didn’t have my current job, I would definitely look into becoming a professional gift buyer! It’s the only time of year that I get the chance to be so thoughtful and generous (without everyone thinking I’m a weirdo!) so I take it with open arms. 😀

And now that the tree is in place, this weekend will be the perfect time for my sister and I to grab our blankets and begin our annual marathon of Christmas movies: first on the list will be Home Alone! ❤