Is Christmas Really Worth The Bother

I pondered this intriguing question when last week my sister asked me what were my plans for Christmas 2010. My initial reaction is why the hell are you asking me in the middle of May. However, my second response was more diplomatic. I gave her a non-committal answer that I would inform her nearer the time - like 24 hours before Xmas day. Naturally, being young, free and single I like to leave my options open. You never know my numbers may come up on the Euro lottery between now and then or Beyonce Knowles may see the error of her ways and divorce the ghastly Jay Z and whisk me away to a tropical paradise.

Notwithstanding, those two unlikely outcomes, I gave serious thought, on a warm May Bank Holiday weekend, about Christmas and the notion that why do people really bother about this commercially and is the seasonal festivities over-hyped and worth the paper its written on.

I considered first the absurdity of lavishing expensive presents on relatives who you don't see from one year to the next. As soon as you are in their presence it becomes all too apparent that the reason you don't seem them is that you dislike them intensely. These relatives would buy you gifts which not only lacked imagination but you were darn sure the presents were purchased at the closing down sale of their local Woolworth's, from the shelves marked 99 pence or under - several dozen for the price of one. My collection of Mickey Mouse socks, Brute aftershave (who wears brute!!) and Imperial Leather talcum powder (again who uses talcum powder -surely it's only used on babys' bums).

This is compounded by the awful prospect of spending the Christmas holidays with these people. The idea of sharing the same continent let alone the same house is truly terrifying.

I still cringe from last year at the obscene spectacle of Uncles' George and Frank swirling their dentures in their Guinness and 90 year-old Great Auntie Norma confusing me with Jasper, my sister's Labrador.

The only positive, is the joy I get seeing my nieces and nephews over the Christmas vacation. The pleasure watching them as they unwrap their presents outweighs all the negatives.

I can tolerate the eccentricities of my uncles and aunts, and the persistent rantings of my sister and her husband haranguing me over my unmarried status. All this is bearable as long as my sister's children still possess that innocence about Christmas and don't become a cantankerous old cynic like their uncle. As long that thankfully continues Christmas is worth bothering, just about!