The Joys Of Christmas

The prospect of Christmas has always filled me with excitement. As a small child, December felt endless, each day marked by opening tiny chocolate-filled doors on the advent calendar, counting down how many sleeps remained, and sneaking peeks in the back of my parents’ wardrobes to confirm if the Chad Valley Bandit Chase game had really arrived. That anticipation hasn’t faded with age—in fact, it has evolved. For many years, December has meant not just Christmas but also a holiday, sometimes both rolled into one. Yet, my ideal Christmas remains one spent at home. Last year, Brayden and I celebrated our first Christmas together aboard our boat, and it was nothing short of delightful. We enjoyed each other’s company, took a refreshing Christmas Day walk, indulged in a healthy Christmas lunch (well, the walk was healthy!), and topped the holiday off with a Boxing Day visit to the theatre. But the real cherry on top was a four-day trip to New York after the festivities. This year, however, we’re starting our celebrations early with a holiday as our first gift. Tomorrow, we board a flight to Japan for two weeks of exploration, based in Tokyo. We’ve packed our itinerary with plans to fuel Brayden’s love for cars and our shared passion for fashion. The excitement is palpable. Brayden has even taken on the role of the “early packer”—a title I used to claim proudly. But with a busy week of work, a gig, and last-minute preparations ahead of our departure, I’ve had to relinquish the reins. Cards are written, chocolates have been sourced, and last night we hosted a cheerful Christmas games night with our neighbours and friends on the pontoon. Tonight, it’s a festive “Peep Show” quiz night in Brixton, and by this time tomorrow, we’ll be relaxing in the lounge at Heathrow, Tokyo-bound. Christmas, for me, has always been about sharing. During the years when I was single, after my father had passed, my Mum was my Christmas companion. Often, we spent the day with cherished friends in West London or the Cotswolds, where we were treated like treasured guests. But at its heart, it was always me and Mum, and it was wonderful. After my marriage ended, I spent one Christmas with dear friends in France. It was a special time, but now, with Brayden, I have someone to share the season with who cares for me deeply. He’s been making mysterious preparations—hiding parcels on the boat (no small feat!)—and I can’t wait to see what surprises await when the sun rises on Christmas morning. This year promises a Christmas full of love, happiness, and adventure. Before the big day, we’ll soak in the magic of Japan—the land of the rising sun. And when we return, there will still be time to savour those quiet, joyful moments that make the season so special. Here’s to the wonder, the mystery, and the shared joy of Christmas—wherever you are and whoever you’re with.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Few Little Treats

Image
When we were on holiday in the summer, I expressed a wish that I could have an acting job to keep me busy and inspired. Before starting the regular autumn season of corporate conferences, I was fortunate to have three. They've been great fun and varied, allowing me to work with some old friends and make new ones. All three productions will end up being shown within about two weeks of each other. Now it's back to the world of corporate conferences. Rehearsals have heightened, filming is taking place, videos and presentations are being prepared, and on a day-to-day basis, the emails I have to answer yes or no to fill my inbox. So it's a great treat this week to have Brayden's mum over from Canada. I arranged a little scheme with her so she could be here for his birthday at the end of the month. She's an absolute delight, and having lunch with your prospective mother-in-law is good fun, if not a little daunting. I'm fortunate that autumn brings familiar work....
Read more

Court In the act.

Image
I've got a confession to make. As an actor, I don't do research. I know that so many of us submerge ourselves in our roles before we start. It might well have been useful to have spent a couple of months working behind the counter of a cafe prior to filming The Full Monty a few years ago, but I rather hope I managed to perfect the preparation of the lettuce salad sandwich and my level of customer abuse without such thorough research. Twenty-six years ago or so, I played a hairdresser in the West End. The main thing I wanted to achieve was the lovely way they use their scissors balanced on the thumb and the third finger. I was dispatched to a hairdressing school for the afternoon and practised hopelessly to get my snipping action just right. I'm not sure that I ever did. On stage every night, I used to cover it up with some hasty combing, but what I did get right was the fact that my performance, outrageous and extravagant as it was, was nowhere near as flamboyant as the...
Read more

Banking on You

Image
It's nice to have things you can rely on in life. A partner, friends, a working car. Just that feeling of getting up in the morning and trusting that life will be okay. Increasingly, a lot of what we rely on is digital. At the forefront of that, in my case, is my phone. I haven't upgraded my phone much to the chagrin of Apple's Accounts department since the iPhone 13. My phone has been reliable, effective, and a good friend. Last Saturday, while flying up to Glasgow, I decided to invest in the new iPhone 16 Pro Max. They've proved almost impossible to order from an Apple store, and the tech store at Heathrow Terminal 5 had one left with just the memory I required and in the colour I wanted. Titanium black. How proud was I? Of course, being the small boy who could never wait to open his Christmas presents, I tried to set up my phone on arrival in Glasgow in my hotel room. Hooking up both old and new phones to the hotel Wi-Fi. All went well. I never read instructions ...
Read more