Although Christmas is officially still two months away, it has already unofficially arrived at our local garden centre. The garden centre is on our list of 'free activities' because we recently signed up for a loyalty card, which means we get 2 free coffees and cakes every month.
The garden centre also has a pets section with rabbits, guineas and hamsters. Small loves pointing at the pets and shouting 'DOGGIE' at the top of his voice, and Little G is allowed to buy the cat (rarely seen since Small's arrival) some biscuits, which we assure her are gratefully received.
We hadn't been to the garden centre for a couple of weeks, but Little G and I needed some spring bulbs to plant, and we still had this month's free coffee & cake vouchers, so last week we decided to mosey along, only to discover that in our absence, the garden centre had morphed into full Christmas mode.
There were strings of flashing lights. There were glittering baubles. There was more tinsel than you could shake a stick at, and a very large animated snowman, that sent Small into such conniptions that we had to wheel him hastily away. There was also a table of battery operated rather naff 'antique' lanterns with Christmas snow scenes, that whirled fake snow when you turned them on.
While Small was being calmed down and debriefed by L-Plate Grandad, Little G and I drifted towards the table of lanterns. We stood in companionable silence, watching the snow whirling around the little plastic snowman and his friends. Little G's face was wide-eyed in radiant wonder.
Did we end up buying one? Of course we did. Even though I was pretty sure You must be mad, who is very artistic, unlike me, and always produces a wonderfully decorated tree every year, would lament my lack of taste. But nearer December 24th, when we are on our own, Little G and I will turn it on, and sit together watching the little snowman in the snow, and it will be tasteless and fun and wonderful. Because that's what Christmas is like. Here, at any rate.
Good for you, Carol - I’m a bit bah-humbug until December. It’s not Halloween yet, and the music in my local John Lewis is Oh Little Town of Bethlehem. (But I have lit candles for Diwali this week - so I’m not a total misery-guts,)
ReplyDeleteLittle G is going to carry these memories with her into adulthood, and that isn't tasteless at all. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteChristmas is for the little ones... and always looks better through their eyes too!
ReplyDeleteI do love it when I see the word conniptions! And so aptly too! :)
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