After a couple of months of preparation, with the shops already catering for Christmas in October the day has arrived when we can relax. My refridgerator is now full, so what could possibly go wrong. As  I do not buy Christmas gifts and do not expect any, the problem is saved with wrapping paper as there is nothing to wrap. I bought myself something, but as I knew what it was I did not bother to cover it up with paper.

I sent all my 5 Christmas cards in various corners of the world. I even receved some cards. Even my gardiner and the company where I worked for 30 years thought of me at Christmas. I think there was also something there from a plumber. I do not have a Christmas tree. We once had four, but gave them to various friends and relations – who need a tree. We still have one apology for a tree in the cellar.

And it will stay in the cellar. We have a few decorations in the apartment with candles to lend a bit of atmosphere.

There are only three of us celebrating, Mr. Swiss and I and No. 1 son. No. 1 son will disappear into town for a couple of hours this afternoon. It is a sort of unwritten custom that the youngsters call in at a certain restaurant on the afternoon of Christmas Eve for a drink and final Christmas wishes before the show begins.  The shops are still open until late afternoon for last minute shopping and then they close until after Christmas where everything Christmas you saw today will be half price. I have a colleague that always bought next years Christmas pudding after Christmas as she could then buy it half price and Christmas pudding best before dates are at least a year if not more.

Now is the time to read the book you wanted to read for some time, to complete a few jigsaw puzzles on the iPad and fill in those telephone numbers on your iPhone which you have wanted to do for some time. You might even compose a blog.

I was particularly pleased yesterday evening. I was visiting my indoor garden of amaryllis, avocado trees and orchids distributing water and I noticed that my schlumbergera (Christmas cactus) had a bud. I bought this plant last year when it was flowering. I had it outside during the summer, supplying it with water and fertiliser. In the cold days I returned it to the apartment. It had made many new green leaves and was more than twice its original size and now it had a bud, just one, but it has to begin somewhere.

I take this opportunity to wish you whatever ever you wish for at the end of the year. The brits now officially wish “happy holidays” not to offend those who might celebrate something else. I do not celebrate anything, just take it easy and relax, so happy holidays to all.