Tuesday, 24 December 2024

Xmas Wrapping



 If you know me in real life, or if you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know that I don't get my knickers in a twist over Xmas. Don't get me wrong, when I worked for a living I was more than happy to get ten days off work - by Xmas Eve I'd have overseen the production and service of over two thousand five-course Christmas dinners and was almost dead - but since escaping corporate hell, Christmas is just like any other public holiday, an annoying interruption to my routine, but although its impossible to ignore (we're bombarded as soon as Hallowe'en is over), I certainly don't stress over it.

As usual we'll be spending our Xmas Day with The Dead Relatives Society, our band of happy orphans. Sometimes we go out for a curry, this year they're round at ours. We'll exchange a few carefully chosen gifts, listen to some cool tunes (more of that in a bit), enjoy some home-cooked food, play board games and, needless to say, have a few drinks.

Some people bang on about being frugal for buying their Xmas wrap in the January sales, we take it to another level. Throughout the year we save all the plain brown paper that any deliveries arrive wrapped in, iron it and decorate it. It's better than cheap, it's free.

Here's this year's wrapping paper - nothing says Xmas like a sumo wrestler.



As usual, I celebrated the Winter Solstice by bringing the garden greenery indoors, festooning the picture frames with holly, ivy, laurel, yew and rosemary, all of which grow in abundance. The branch we've suspended from the mantelpiece was brought down during one of our many winter storms and the vintage-style globes were from fair trade company, Ian Snow (bought via Ebay four years ago).



We have fairy lights up all year round.





The embroidered angel was a gift from Lynn & Philip many years ago.


The demented William lookalike was bought for 50p from Age UK in Wolverhampton when I visited the Evelyn de Morgan exhibition with my other friend Lynn, a few weeks ago.


This year's wreath. This will stay up until it falls apart.


A large chunk of the silly season will be spent reading as I've got a huge pile of books to wade through.


I'm a third of the way through A Place of Greater Safety by the wonderful - and sorely missed - Hilary Mantel, a 1000 page epic set during the French Revolution. Like The Mirror and the Light, Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, it's one of those books that sits on the bookcase for ages as just looking at it makes you feel slightly intimidated but once you crack it open, its almost impossible to put down.


Once I've finished with Robespierre, Desmoulins and Danton I'm spoilt for choice. These four books were a quid from the clearance chazza; there's Trust, The 19th Wife, A Terrible Kindness and what will probably be my next read, Mermaid Singing, the memoirs of two Australian writers who left post-war London to live in Kalmynos, the Greek sponge diving island off the coast of Kos we visited earlier in the year. 

I've got three biographies to read, on loan from my swimming pals, Dave and Lisa. Noddy Holder is, I'm sure you know, one of Walsall's many famous sons. I'm looking forward to learning about Jerry Garcia, I love his music but know nothing about him. Charles Manson has always been a source of fascination, when I first met Jon he had a poster of both him and Take That up in his kitchen. That should have been a warning but, to be honest, I was more disturbed by Take That ...


As usual, 25th December will be spent in the company of blokes & they'd probably not notice if I sat around in my dressing gown but as I've never dressed for anyone but myself, I'll no doubt be wearing something wildly inappropriate and over-the-top. Here's one contender....


I spotted this 1970s lurex maxi by Spinney for £5 the other day, a near-identical replacement for the vintage Bernshaw maxi I've been wearing to festivals since the dawn of time. The silver platforms are current Monsoon, unworn and snaffled for £3 from the same charity shop as this Cosucos Halo Crown which came in its original box and cost £4. 


After trying one in Corfu, Jon's smitten with Espresso Martinis and he's been practicing making his own. They taste delicious, I tell him, buI might need another just to be sure.


So, let's talk about Xmas music. I don't mean that tired & cliched old shit I have to endure every time I enter a shop from the 1st December onwards, making me so irrationally angry I want to rip my ears off, I'm talking about cool, alternatives like the ones I've selected for this year's Dead Relatives Society Festive Playlist. Join us wherever in the world you are, let's have a virtual party.

1. The Ramones - Merry Xmas (I Don't Want to Fight Tonight)

2. The Waitresses -  Christmas Wrapping

3. Julian Casablancas - I Wish It Was Christmas Today

4. Goat - Let it Burn

5. No Doubt - Oi To The World

6. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - Little Drummer Boy

7. The Futureheads - Christmas Was Better in The 80s

8. St Etienne - I Was Born on Xmas Day

9. Stiff Little Fingers - White Christmas

10. The Wedding Present - Step Into Christmas

11. Sparks - Thank God Its Not Christmas

12. The Manic Street Preachers - Last Christmas

13. Cocteau Twins - Frosty The Snowman

14. Orbital - Christmas Chime

15. The Fall - Hark The Herald Angels Sing

16. Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis

17. Aztec Camera - Walk Out To Winter

18. The Kills - Silent Night

19. The Long Blondes - Christmas Is Cancelled

20. Throwing Muses - Santa Claus

21. The Wombats - Is This Christmas?

 


Have fun whatever you get up to and see you on the other side!

40 comments:

  1. Your wrapping paper is wonderful-I make cloth bags for people’s gifts and ask them to give me them back if they won’t use them again. I’ve never had a bag back yet which makes me happy that I have saved yet more textiles from landfill. Enjoy your day and I’m now going to work through your alternative list of Christmas music. Catriona (in Scotland)

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    1. Hello Catriona! Thank you so much. I absolutely love your idea for making cloth bags and asking for them back if they don't intend on using them again as it not only saves you time the following year but its an excellent excuse to meet up in the New Year.
      Have a fabulous Xmas and I hope you enjoy the playlist. xxx

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  2. Have a fab time... you'd have looked right at home with the Medieval Baebes that were performing here last week in that set of clobber. I love the sunburst headpiecexx Arilx

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    1. I need to see those Medieval Baebes. I'm often asked if I'm a dancer, I'm always very flattered! I feel a bit like the Statue of Liberty in that headpiece! Have a cool Yule, my lovely friend. xxx

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  3. Stunning outfit! I'm testing out the playlist. Christmas William reminds me of a dear boy who adopted us. Raising a glass to you and yours.

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    1. Thanks, Ruth! Sending you, your family and your puss cat a wonderful mas. xxx

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  4. Excellent music choice! I love Elizabeth Fraser, her voice is not from this world. Plus anything by the Manics gets my vote. Your home is lovely, so unique and it's not grey! So bored with this greige nonsense, winter needs colour and joy. Have a great time with your buddies x

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    1. Hello Lisa! I was never a fan of Frosty the Snowman until I heard that Cocteau Twins version, it stops me in my tracks every time, you're right about Elizabeth's voice.
      I don't know how many times I've seen the Manic over the years, way back in the days of Richie. I don't mind Wham's Last Christmas but James Dean Bradfield's voice takes it to another level.
      Fashionable grey as Kevin McCloud call it, the most miserable choice of decor ever, even magnolia would be preferable.
      Have a fab festive time. xxx

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    2. God I love a Manics gig, Me and my youngest daughter have seen them a lot of times. One of the best was at Wolverhampton . The feather boa to middle aged men count was outstanding, Nicky stalked the stage with the attitude of a goddess. James was on fine form heckling the crowd "If you want a drink go now, 'cause it's Autumn Song next and you all hate it!". Sean was just hidden under a baseball cap being bloody marvellous as usual. We drove back down the M6 squashed, knackered and full of joy. That's music for you x

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  5. Stunning outfit (as usual), who needs a fairy on the top of a Christmas tree when Vix is in town. I hope the DRS lunch goes really well and you all have some very, very merry fun. Your reading is eclectic and very interesting and if you add A Spaceman Came Travelling to your playlist, I'll be right round for the party. ;-)

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    1. Thanks Sue! I'll add If A Spaceman Came Travelling if it means you'll join the party, I haven't heard it in ages, I might have to play it right now. xxx

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  6. 2000 Miles is my go to Christmas song featuring the stupendous Chrissie Hynes (? Spelling). You look fab in the lurex and headdress. Hope you have a great time. The mad William decoration is brilliant. Regards Sue H

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    1. Hello Sue H! Now there's a tune. I adore Chrissie Hynde and have been lucky enough to hear her sing 2000 Mile live a couple of times, it always makes me cry! Have a lovely Xmas! xxx

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  7. I am ignoring Christmas, well trying very hard to. I hate the over commercialisation so much. I said to the tired looking assistant in our pharmacy," have a lovely Christmas" she looked at me in panic and said "what?". Poor woman completely frazzled and no doubt dealing with grumpy customers all day couldn't quite understand my kind words. That is Christmas 2024.
    Anyway enjoy the day with your pals and happy new year to you both.

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    1. Hello Carole, its ridiculous, isn't it? I hate the massive build up, how i's rammed down your throat for months and how stressed and short tempered everyone gets. I really feel for the lady in the pharmacy, I used to be so worn out by Xmas I often couldn't remember getting to work! Sending you lots of love for a peaceful few days and a very happy New Year. xxx

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  8. Spending time with friends and catching up with reading sounds like the perfect way to spend holidays. Enjoy! Love your alternative Christmas music list, I must check out those songs that I haven't heard or am not familiar with.
    You look like a goddess in that v neck open back gown.
    Love the greenery in your house, here it is considered a Christmas tradition but I know it dates back to pagan times.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana, I hope you have a fantastic and relaxing time with your husband, you certainly deserve it. You may recognise a few of those songs, they sound so much better with a bit of rock and roll attitude! xxx

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  9. Vix, I'll be joining you on keeping all the brown and other reusable paper. We have forced sustainability coming to my state of MN -requires that all packaging in the state be refillable, reusable, recyclable, or compostable by 2032. The law is intended to reduce the amount of packaging waste that ends up in landfills and to make shopping decisions easier. This will include the banning of the shiny wrapping paper sold. I've tried avoiding it anyway but no more 10¢ after Christmas rolls. Your dress is fabulous and if a body holds it up, not inappropriate at all.

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    1. Hello Sam! I've impressed by the forced sustainability imposed by your state, I think it needs something like that instead of putting the onus on the general public. If things weren't manufactured we'd not be tempted to buy them such as that awful glittery wrapping paper that can't be recycled and ends up festering in landfill for hundreds of years.
      I hope your Xmas is chilled and stress-free, enjoy the company of your lovely kids and your beautiful animals. xxx

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    2. I'm totally with you on this! Needs to be imposed!

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    3. I knew you'd be impressed, Kezzie. I am, too. xxx

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  10. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Cali G

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    1. Thanks Cali G - I wish the same for you. xxx

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  11. Happy Christmas and New Year Vix, Jon and William. I was once the frazzled assistant in a pharmacy at Christmas time, I was glad to retire. Miss Sheva is asleep on the spare room bed dreaming of how many packets of Cheese Dreamies Santa will bring her. Have a great day. Hugs Xx

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    1. Sending you and your family and Sheva lots of love and best wishes for a Happy Xmas, too dear Gill. Oh yes, those customer facing jobs are awful at this time of year, aren't they? Tony gets a whole day off from selling furniture which he spends with us then it's back to the Boxing Day sale madness, he can't wait for retirement!
      William's got a catnip Donald Trump, I can't wait for him to savage it in the morning! xx

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  12. Love the wrapping paper, Vix! Uber cool and I'd want to put it in a frame and hang it up! That dress is fantastic 👌 always liked the silver version you wore to the festivals and the headress is wow! Even if the blokes dont appreciate it your blog readers do! With you.. hate the over commercialisation of Christmas and we're doing it second hand as much as possible (thank you Vinted) would far sooner save the money for travel and experiences. Have a great day with the DRS and can't wait to see what 2025 has in store! Louise (Mids) X x x

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    1. Hello Louise and thank you very much! I managed to paint the front step when I was graffitiing that paper, I hope it washes away before Jon notices it! I was very excited to spot a dupe for my favourite festival frock, it was starting to shed at an alarming rate. Thank heavens for my blog, those DRS boys are far more interested in ale and food than my appearance!
      Yay to second hand shopping and the brilliant bargains on Vinted. Have a fab Xmas and a happy New Year with lots of adventures, joy and sunshine. xxx
      PS Have you seen La Palma on Netflix? A Norwegian eco thriller set in the Canaries? It's a riveting watch.

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    2. Thank you very much for the heads up (La Palma) Sounds very much up our street and we will watch over Christmas 🎄 😀 x x x

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  13. I would be playing Sparks first, where did they go? I made a wreath and decorated a tree, with a fairy on the top . This is the last year we intend to do the roast dinner and call everyone home, it's time for change as our sons are grown up and we are entering a new chapter - retirement. we have small secret santa gifts for each other (must be funny, meaningful and under a tenner) . it looks like you are going to have a fabulous time, your home looks warm and inviting and you will look great in that dress... I hope you enjoy yourselves Vix and wish you and Jon a prosperous, happy and healthy 2025. Betty x

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    1. Hello Betty! Sparks were my brother's favourite band when he was a kid, he'll be pleased to hear them tomorrow. They played Glasto this year but sadly the timings didn't work for us.
      I love your small secret Santa gift idea, so much more thoughtful than some flashy expensive present bought at the last minute under stressful circumstances. Enjoy every minute of your last traditional Xmas, here's to 2025 and creating new traditions and going on lots of holidays! Much love to you, Steve, Mollie and the lads. xxx

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  14. So pleased you chose The Ramones as your feature track!! Nice choice! Some unknown ones there to check out. Soz, but I do like a bit of Mariah to warble to and a Mambo Christmas when pootling around in the kitchen!! As for what I'll be wearing, if the last few days are anything to go by, pj's and a fleece!! Have a gud 'un! Love, Zoe xx❤️❤️

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    1. Hello, dear Z! I do love that Ramones track, the video is hilarious. Don't apologise for liking Mariah, your Xmas, your choice! I'm hoping the weather stays mild or I might be wearing a woolly jumper and socks over my frock! Have a fab Xmas, love to Arthur & Grumble! xxx

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  15. Love your wrapping! So beautiful!
    I'll give your listening suggestions ago when I get home from SiL. My favourite piece to listen to is Hely-Hutchunson Carol symphony. It has a magical moment where the First Nowell emerges out if a really sinister part!
    That dress is so similar to your other glittery one! The headdress is amazing!!!
    Enjoy your Dead Poet society lunch! Xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Kezzie! I was very pleased to find a near-identical dress to my old favourite. I shall give that musical suggestion a listen, I know absolutely nothing about classical music.
      Have a fab Xmas. xxx

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  16. Love the wrapping paper and playlist!
    Have a wonderful Christmas! You absolutely must wear that headdress! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Claire! Hope you, Gareth, Caleb, your mum & G's dad have a brilliant day.
      That headpiece is so comfy I forget I'm earing it and keep getting caught up in the chandeliers! Maybe a couple more espresso martinis might improve my coordination! xxx

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  17. Hi Vix, longtime reader of your wonderful blog, but this is the first time I’ve commented :) Love your alternative Xmas music list - in our house, it’s not Christmas until the Twisted Sister ‘A Twisted Christmas’ album has been played! Wishing you and yours a wonderful festive time and a very merry New Year! Cathy (from the wilds of East Anglia)

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    1. Hello Cathy from the wild of East Anglia! thank you so much for leaving a comment, it's lovely to "meet" you. Twisted Sister, now there's a blast from the past. I didn't know they'd had a Xmas album, I'm off to investigate right now. Have a very happy Xmas and fabulous New Year! xxx

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  18. What an image of Christmas glam you are. The play list sounds fab, there’s some of those I need to have a listen to. Have a fabulous time Vix. Merry Christmas xxx

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  19. Wishing you and the orphans a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for blogging! Mx

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix