Fireworks over, Christmas round the corner.
As the last firework fades out the smoky night sky, the realisation hits everybody that Christmas is just round the corner, time to fetch the festive decorations out of the attic! Many stores are way ahead of the game, by displaying their Christmas goods, in their windows, months in advance. For shops it is the busiest time of year, with thousands of people buying gifts for their family and friends, so the need to be planning and preparing for the most hectic time of all...Christmas.
That time of year is here again: were children count down the "sleeps" until Father Christmas makes a visit by popping down the chimney, and pray for snow to fall thick and fast, in order for there to be a white Christmas and school to be shut early. For most children their priority is sorting out their never-ending Christmas list, made by looking at adverts on television. On the other hand, the adults plan the parties, Christmas dinner and of course getting all the chocolate.
Kerri-Ann aged 14 describes her favourite things about Christmas: "I love Christmas because it reunites all the family, meaning we get to spend time together and give each other fabulous gifts and handmade cards. My favourite thing about the jolly season is the smell of the real Christmas tree and the presents underneath it. I like it when I see the table full of food as it really brightens my mood. At breakfast, I love having the treat of being able to eat chocolate first thing in the morning due to my advent calendar. I absolutely love the fact that in November we plan Christmas like it is going to happen next week. Christmas lightens people's spirit knowing that a holiday is on its way. During Christmas season, there are many fairs and markets around where I live, so can buy unique and different Christmas items for my friends, my family and me. Through the Christmas period my family have many traditions such as watching various Christmas special episodes on the 25th of December and decorating and putting fairy lights the Christmas tree. Also I enjoy listening to Christmas music, my favourite song being "All I Want for Christmas is You.""
Students practise nativity plays to present to their parents, choirs rehearse carols to remember baby Jesus, and people count down the days until they are off work. Advents calendars are bought, so the countdown to the big day begins by eating a piece of chocolate every day. The run up to Christmas has begun. Christmas is the magical time of year where family gets together to share the laughter and fun to be had with the much loved traditions such as eating turkey, mince pies and mulled wine. This is the reason that everybody looks forward to the Christmas season so much, more than any other celebration throughout the year.
The time has come bring out the Christmas wrapping paper, sellotape, scissors, and start wrapping all the presents to get ready for the big day!
Emma Sheldon
Bromley High School
