Ethics

I'm still trying to buy ethical as much as possible and thus far all my Xmas present and upcoming birthday gifts have been from charity shops except one gift for my nephew. I've commented to various friends, that it appears as though the fates are conspiring to help me obtain perfect gifts for the people I love. Each time I visit a charity shop, I leave not much lighter of pocket and laden with items that are ideal. You would, perhaps, assume that given the nature of charity shops, buying perfect gifts would not be so easy. I have entered a shop thinking I would like a biography for my mum, of someone she admires, I find a Judi Dench biography. I want some bath bombs for my sister and find some easily. My parents enjoy jigsaws, my dad has an interest in planes and I find a jigsaw of a cockpit. The list goes on. Incredible. So I'm working on a theory that the fates, karma or some other happy force are somehow placing these perfect gifts in my path to support and encourage continued ethical shopping. Perhaps I'm mad (there are those that would wholeheartedly confirm that I am) but I think that there may be something in it.

I suggest that anyone who reads my blog (which may not be anyone other than Mark and Sam but hey ho) goes out and tests my theory. Lets perpetuate this happiness.

xxx

Buy ethical

Buy ethical, use charity shops. I just popped over to the local hospice shop and bought two hardback children’s books at a £1 each, 4 beautifully packaged flower candles at 80p for the 4 and a CD at just 30p! So that’s £3.10 spent, more Christmas presents for my nephew and my mum sorted. Wonderful stuff. I still have much Xmas shopping to get through but intend to do practically all of it through charity shops. It takes time and effort but it’s worth it. Why support capitalist giants when you can use shops that help people. Often items are new or in excellent condition. It’s just a mindset that stops some people from utilising charity shops. Get involved, it’s truly worthwhile.

xxx

Santa's foot

Many years ago, when I should have been wrapped up in the warmth of my duvet, I saw Santa's foot! On Christmas eve, my sister and I reluctantly went to bed, desperate for Christmas day to arrive. I lay in bed and waited for sleep to take hold but it failed to arrive. Sometime later, I heard a noise downstairs. Adulthood would have translated this sound into something sinister but childhood excitement and curiosity convinced me that I could hear Santa delivering our presents! I knew I shouldn't but I broke the long-established rule of staying in bed the night before Christmas (because seeing Santa was not allowed). I nervously climbed out of bed, crept to the top of the stairs and peered down. Just as I did so, I saw a big black booted foot! Before the foot owner appeared, I ran back to my bed and leapt into it, I pulled the duvet over my head and pretended to be asleep. I didn't want Santa to know that I'd seen his foot, just in case this meant that my presents were returned to Lapland. When Christmas day arrived, Hayley and I ran downstairs, then settled ourselves in front of our pile of presents. I don't know what presents I got that year but I do remember smiling at the memory of Santa's foot. Thank goodness that Santa didn't realise that I'd seen his foot.

This wonderful memory (which I now realise must have been a dream or one of my parents taking their role as Santa rather too seriously) really added to the magic of Christmas. So much so, that when school friends told me Santa wasn't real, I refused to believe them because I'd seen Santa's foot. I still retain some of that childlike sense of wonder about the world. You'll be relieved to know that I no longer believe in Father Christmas but I do believe in the magic of Christmas. Despite tragic things affecting me and people that I love, I believe the world is a magical place. It's just a question of noticing it.

xxx