Christmas - Day One!

Posted 10 months, 3 weeks ago at 5:24 pm. 1 comment

Christmas was rather substantial this year.

I’m not usually terribly phased by the idea of being somewhat isolated from friends/family at this time of year.  For the last two years I’d been lured by double triple mega-time at work, but this year with the new job and the change of conditions, I was really hoping for a bit of a change this year.

I have to say, I definitely got what I was after.

Nathan’s folks wanted to do Christmas on the 24th - mostly so all the kids could do Christmas however they pleased on the day itself.  Despite the fact I was working until 12, I still managed to make it on time for lunch - and presents - AND I beat Nathan home.

I probably would’ve been daunted by the idea of spending time with parents/siblings without the boyfriend present, but his family aren’t bad types at all.  His dad is pretty amusing, and generally pretty honest and upfront.  His mum was a little hard to read to start with, but she was always really welcoming, and now i’ve gotten to know her at least a little better (I hope), she’s warm and friendly.  I only recently met his baby sister, but she’s really sweet too.

When I arrived I was greeted with an offer of booze and a giant pile of presents.  Not all for me, obviously, but at I have to say that booze and gifts are probably way up the top of the festive list, especially when it comes to feeling at home.  Nathan’s dad saw me admiring the tree, and launched into a story about Nathan and his penchant for putting the angel atop the tree.  It was adorable.  When he was finished he gestured over to the stack of presents, specifically at the giant rectangular one and informed me that it was mine.

Eventually the boy arrived, car full of gifts, prawns and still more booze, and we sat down to open presents.  Nathan’s mum pulled out the camera and insisted I open the giant, overwhelming mystery gift.  We’d decided to open our presents together on Christmas morning, but his family seemed so excited.  So, with his mum poised with her finger on the camera, I slooowwllyy, almost painstakingly peeled the paper away from the giant present.

I kind of couldn’t believe how much effort he’d put into it.  It was a picture from the Trivium concert - in a big beautiful frame - with my wristband underneath.  I got all teary, he started grinning, his mum and sister were making ‘aww’ noises.. I’m pretty sure I have the most amazing boyfriend ever.

With gifts unwrapped, and me full of apologies to his sisters for getting them such impersonal gifts, it was time for lunch.  His mum had put in a huge effort - there was a pile of ham, a plate full of chicken and a few salads, plus the big bowl of prawns that the boy had collected from Morgans in the morning - it was a lovely spread.  We did the customary crackers and donned the ridiculous hats, and after a couple of hours everyone headed in their seperate directions, and we headed out for a brief walk to get some ice.

Despite the normal Christmas bickering, it was a pretty awesome day.  We spent what remained of the afternoon kissing and drinking.  Pretty ideal if you ask me.  I’ll upload some photos when I’m less capped.