That Luzar and Jim Time of the Year

Sunday November 19, 2006

A Christmas meme from The Pickards.

What was the first place you have seen Christmas decorations or lights ‘up’ this year?

It seems to me that as soon as the shops pack the Hallowe’en and bonfire things away, the decorations are up and the lights are on. As I drive around with my daughter, we play a game where we see who’ll be the first to spot a Christmas tree in someone’s window. I play a similar game with my wife, but it’s spotting the most over-the-top Christmas decorations. You know the ones, a whole house lit up with life-size sleighs and reindeer that scare you to death.

Do you ever go anywhere specifically to see decorations or lights?

Not really, but I think the best thing is walking around with my daughter and counting all of the Christmas lights in people’s front rooms, especially on Christmas Eve as we pop round to friends’ houses.

What’s the first Christmas song you’ve heard this year (traditional or pop)?

Probably Stop the Cavalry by Jona Lewie, which I saw on a documentary recently about Stiff Records. I was in Woolies today and they were piping out Christmas muzak, which has its own strange charm.

What Christmas songs (traditional or pop) do you particularly like?

I have a CD called something like The Best Christmas Album in the World. I dig it out year after year and I’m actually restraining myself from putting it on now. My favourites are Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys and Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses. And, of course, Stop the Cavalry. I also like Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid and The Power of Love by Frankie Goes to Hollywood because they remind me of being in my teens and the friends I used to hang around with at the time.

Do you ever attend any Christmas church services (formal or even just carol services)?

We usually go to Carols in the Park locally, where I can combine the walking around and looking at Christmas lights in people’s front rooms with singing loudly and theatrically after too much mulled wine.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Both. I tend to go over the top at Christmas. I think it’s – here comes corny joke – part and parcel of being a parent! I thank you.

What do you normally have for Christmas dinner?

The traditional. I’m probably the world’s most unimaginative cook, but I can do a roast and I can do it brilliantly. My roast potatoes are legendary. So I’m usually first up, I spend several hours in the kitchen masterminding the whole cooking operation, we all eat like kings and then I sit back in a port-and-stilton stupor.

What’s the best thing about Christmas?

I’ve always loved Christmas, but I think I’ve loved it the most since becoming a parent. We do the whole thing about leaving a mince pie and a carrot by the fireplace for Father Christmas and his reindeeer, and I’m going to milk it for all it’s worth this year as it may be the last time I can get away with it (my daughter is seven). We had the “I think Father Christmas is you” last year, and I only just managed to play it down.

And the worst thing?

When it’s over. January is the most depressing month of the year.

What does Christmas mean to you?

Without sounding cheesy, the joy of parenthood. This is my favourite time of year, and there’s so many things to share together (although I won’t be buying an eight foot tree this year – I was still hoovering up pine needles in August). Also seeing family (before the rows start), the food and drink (before you get sick of it), Christmas telly (ditto) and of course the Christmas meme.

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