I was reading about an elderly gent who on being asked by his daughter what he’d like for Christmas replied “I could do with a new ball of string”. That’s him sorted, said daughter.
It got me thinking. I don’t really need more jars of chutney, hand cream or another cheese board - as grateful as I am to those people who thought of me.
What are the little things that you could do with as pressies instead of fancy stuff?
Books....any type of book....more than happy with second hand books! If there is money to spare or people want to club together a sink into comfy chair...so I can read in comfort...second hand chair would be fine too!!
Once upon a time, Clover, when I worked in the hearing unit of a noisy school I was asked that question.
Peace and quiet was all I could come up with...two weeks of peace and quiet.
To be left without demands from family, to know I have no fires to fight, arguments to resolve, to finally have time and space to be weak, to be vulnerable, to be lonely without needing to put a smile in my voice and steel in my spine, to eat chocolate without comments about my size, despite the isolation of covid I haven't had that, I daren't switch off phones in case someone has a crisis.
I would just love someone to offer a donation to an animal charity chosen by me. No idea how long it would take me to choose one, the poor bears caged for life having bile taken from them with the wound kept open, the poor donkeys collapsing under the weight of their burdens, the elephants ... Plenty to choose from.
I worked with a little boy who had problems. We got on well. His mum came into school to apologise for the Christmas gift he bought for me but she couldn't change his mind.
He knew I loved motor bikes and had found a picture of one on a secondhand market stall. Bit tatty with 50p still on the back.
I treasured it until it was with things lost by a moving company.
We often have stewed apples, and every time I peel the apples, I say to myself I must get a corer to make it easy, instead of hacking away with the peeler.
Then I pass the apples over to Mrs Hughes who works her magic with them, and the come back to me to be pushed through the strainer, then I wander off and forget about the corer until next time ...
Yes I know Em. I foster and adopt those I can help plus support other charities through donations. That doesn't stop be wanting to help those in terrible distress abroad and I would choose that as a Christmas present.
There is absolutely nothing material that I want. Just being with my lovely family, all continuing to be healthy, and ofcourse with my lovely little puppy Tora. She's being veery mischevious today.
My daughter came round last week and left a bag of ice in my porch. I love ice, in my drinks, not on the ground. On the ground would be a recipe for disaster!!