December always reminds me of my childhood when Ouma (my grandmother) was healthy and strong and bossed us all around getting ready for Christmas. Windows were cleaned, curtains washed, cupboards emptied and tidied. The pantry was stocked with dried fruit, bottled konfyt (jam) and chutney. The old lady believed in work, work, work. Swimming, playing and reading for fun was out.
Dried fruit for the Christmas cake had to be sorted, stalks and stones removed, washed and carefully dried. Peaches, apricots and figs from the garden were peeled and cooked, minced or dried. I remember the coal stove in the kitchen that kept the water hot, and baked the perfect bread. One Christmas Ouma gave me a little blue and white sewing basket with an embroidery cloth and threads. I have the basket to this day, and use it to keep my crochet hooks, sewing needles and embroidery scissors.
Christmas should not be all about presents and shopping. It should be about family and friends, relaxing and enjoying the fruits of your hard work during the year. What’s done is done. What’s not, doesn’t matter!
There is still time to:
• Stock up with snacks, sunblock, cooldrinks and treats
• Fun things to do – you’ll find great, inexpensive ideas at the ‘Crazy Store’
• Make sure you have a first-aid kit with plasters, panado, tee-tree oil, mercurochrome and anti-histamine cream (for insect bites)
• Use up everything in the deep freeze before defrosting and re-stocking
• Clean out your grocery cupboards before you go shopping
• Sort out the children’s clothes and put aside what they’ve outgrown for charities before buying them new clothes to avoid duplicating
• Tidy up your desk: file receipts and throw away incomplete to-do lists. You can start again in the New Year.
Mark your 2017 diary with Birthdays, Anniversaries and special events that you’re aware of. When all is done, put up the Christmas tree, tinsel and lights. Bake biscuits, have a picnic in the park or garden, take the children to the library, Christmas carols and church. Let them smell Christmas, hear Christmas, taste and feel Christmas. Enjoy. After all …… it’s the best time of the year!
