"Here’s a present for you mum!"
Those were David’s first words when he arrived home from uni for Christmas on Friday.
Instead of being given a lovely package to open, I was presented with a huge bag of dirty washing!
It made me smile. I know it sounds corny, but my best present had just walked through my front door. And I was thrilled because David is so happy. He passed his first exam and has a girlfriend who we hope to meet over the festive break. I absorbed the happiness he was exuding. It was so infectious.
That kind of feeling is priceles. I would much rather have that rather than some of the ostentatious and obscene gifts which are on the market. What does it prove to anybody if you spend £12,400 on a diamond encrusted computer mouse for them? It shows that you’ve got more money than sense. I assume this kind of gift is for someone who already has a bank 
vault full of diamonds and it would just be an extra stocking filler.
And for those who really do have money to burn and want to splash out on some unique lingerie, would you really pay $122,000 on a diamond thong? How on earth would you wash it? You certainly couldn’t hang it on the washing line in case it got nicked!
I wonder what impact the credit crunch is having on Selfridge’s Wonder Room this year where hefty price tags are not for the faint hearted. It’s where you might find this kind of bling -if they haven’t sold out – limited edition Bluetooth headsets which are a snip at £6,250.
For thousands of newly redundant people, this year is not going to be a Merry Christmas. I’m thinking of my fellow journalists in Cambridge right now as a third of them in my former newsroom will hear in the next couple of days whether their jobs have been axed. Where will they find new jobs when the newspaper industry up and down the country has been doing laying off staff? This is the most terrible, gut wrenching, worrying time for tens of thousands of jobless people who want to still give their kids a good Christmas.
This year, more than ever, we must remember our core values and families must support each other through the dark days ahead. It’s all we can do – and hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is not too far away.
I bet the kind of woman who has a diamond encrusted mobile phone bought for her doesn’t even have to wash a bag of dirty washing. Poor her….
Merry Christmas xxx
Tasteless bling for those with more money than sense…. The jewellery the not wife is getting this year is a Roman bead necklace
You have had one of the best Christmas presents anyone could ask for 🙂
Like you I am thinking of all the people who are out of work or worrying what 2009 is going to bring them.
I hope you have a nice Christmas xx
I totally understand that proceless feeling 🙂
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Priceless even!!
Oops!
Oh yes they are
But one must first find the right girl
lest she trample your finest pearls
So did you find a ‘gift’
in the dirty laundry?
Good luck with meeting the girlfriend. Happy Christmas.
So glad David is so happy and has done so well. Someone can buy me diamonds any time!
I don’t even have one diamond and those don’t tempt me either.
You must be delighted to have your family altogether for the holidays, dirty washing and all.
Have a wonderful Christmas Ellee.
Totally agree Ellee..Have a great Christmas with your family and a brilliant New year 🙂
Nice antedote to the credit crunch/recession thingy.
(2009 Prophecies over at Corporate Presenter)
Although i would not like diamonds for Christmas as i prefer emeralds or rubys. Dont think i would like the washing either, I have almost got my boys trained to do thier own washing now 🙂
Wishing all your family a great and happy christmas x x x x
YUCKKKKKKKK – but the key question should be did anyone buy it? In this instance I hope not but I am worried by how much our country has depended on the uber-rich recently. What happens if the football transfer market dries up …. or race horses in Newmarket?
I saw a piece on breakfast news about that last weekend – quite mind boggling! have a great Christmas Ellee – thank god for washing machines!!
Happy Christmas to you too, Ellee.
xx
Thank you everyone for your Christmas wishes. I have just finished typing up the last interviews from my MP3 recorder for my book which I have been working on like mad. It is so thrilling, so different, maybe wacky, but certainly not dull.
I must now have a 2 hour blitz around the house and can then hopefully sink into the sofa and put my feet up with a book I am dying to read.
Hopefully I can then chill and start looking forward to Christmas. I always love Christmas. 🙂
Happy Christmas again!! xxx
Merry Christmas, Ellee and to your family.
Merry Christmas to you and yours Ellie and, all good wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
Di.xx
Trubes, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas too, and found some solutions to your difficulties this year. xx
Having been the recipient of the giant sack of laundry on more than one occasion now I can tell you it grows old. But it’s wonderful that your son is happy and doing well. I hope you and yours have a truly Happy Christmas.
Merry Christmas Ellee. Very sensible advice. We are having a quiet time at home by ourselves this Christmas. Really nice.
You are welcome to our dirty laundry anytime. 🙂
http://electro-kevin-electrokevin.blogspot.com/2008/12/now-thats-what-i-call-electro-kevin.html
That link will get you to my Christmas video.
Yes. You’re right of course, simple things are what count at these times. We’re all facing different challenges at the moment.
Hope you’re having a nice time.
Theres nothing better! Happy New year to you Ellee!!
Yes it is nice to have ones family around them at Christmas time, am glad David came home and done well. Bet that thong isn’t too comfy to wear. What a terrible waste of money. Would much rather smiles and good company any day 🙂
Hi Ellee, Happy New Year.
Things sound pretty crook in terms of the economy in Europe. I think we are a little safer here but not by much..
Anyway- enjoy the Season! :o)
Hi Ellee,
how I wish I still had a mother to give the washing to, but it’s always the smallest things in life that can bring the most joy.
Hope you had a good Christmas and that the New Year is not as bad as you fear.
Well of course diamonds are a girls best friend! Next to one’s children, obviously :-))