First Noel

I'm still firmly in holiday mode, but taking a break from relaxing long enough to say that I'm doing so.

If Christmas is always as much of a just-plain-holiday, without the obligations, travel, slightly tense socialising and general pressure that I get the impression is sometimes part of the package, then I shall look forward to it in future. In this case, I have had my batteries thoroughly recharged, and look like getting more recharging done yet before the return to work.

It seems to be an excuse for indulgence, but the indulgence has been the good kind. The exchange of cards - and gifts even more so - is a kind of symbol of thinking about somebody, and means more than the surface would suggest. In a similar way, sharing a day which is made special by a conscious decision not to do anything which would spoil the holiday mood, is another rare and precious thing to share. And sharing is good.

To say more would be to spoil it.