This is the best time of year, when good friends visit and Uncle Marsley’s chores increase. Not having any children of my own – unless you count Miss Violet – I’m lucky to be referred to as an “uncle” by my friends’ kids even though my siblings have no children. And at this rate, will never. Regardless, the beauty of Christmas is still a magical and heart-warming experience. Being a nostalgic man, I enjoy those memories of when I was a child and loving the season and being the youngest in the house. Back then it all seemed as if it lasted for months awaiting Santa, but as I become older, the season flies by and before I know it I’m celebrating a new birthday in April. Oh, to be that young again and have time linger on.
This year I decided to create new memories, so I had an open house on Christmas day. Friends joined me, and the champagne was flowing, the holiday music was playing and the fire was roaring. I kept it simple by using the snow to fill several galvanized buckets to chill the champagne and I created a festive holiday buffet with finger food and many lovely treats, like home-made Christmas cake. Old friends, new friends, but no family. I save family for family gatherings or what’s sometimes best: one-on-one. After all, this was intended as a party not a therapy session! So let the celebration of the season begin. We danced, we ate and we drank – maybe not in that order – never the less we had a ball.
As we wound down the night we played games and enjoyed espresso coffee from my new illy Francis Francis X7 machine. (Oh, and friends give better gifts, too. Thanks, Barbara! )
As I look back at Christmas 2009, I’ll remember this – lots of champagne, wonderful friends, a festive fire, the holiday décor, more champagne, the belly laughs, dancing to Lady Ga Ga, (who I’m ga-ga over) and that I just can’t drink as much as I used to. I was home, happy, healthy and blessed. The perfect making of new nostalgic-ness.
Now, what to do for the New Year?
