It’s ‘the most wonderful time of the year…’ but it is also the busiest.
Thinking about our own individual Christmas traditions, it soon became apparent to the senior team at Advantage One that there were relatively few. That’s not because we are below par on having fun. Quite the contrary. Simply put, it is because every tradition for us relates to not the Festive Season but just Christmas Day. And that’s because, for as long as I can remember, we at Advantage 1 have been providing full cover for retailers throughout the Festive Season for almost 25 years!
A bit like chefs, whilst everyone else is busy having fun, we are working our very hardest to keep our customers happy and contented. The golden quarter is, after all, not just the greatest opportunity in the year for retailers to maximise sales revenue, but also the biggest chance for criminals to commit crime.
So whilst everyone else may be creating their own special 12 day break, we run down our shifts on Christmas Eve and crank the whole Advantage One crew back up to full steam ahead on Boxing Day… when the Boxing Day sales start and with all of the mayhem that ardent bargain hunters can generate; when fights can erupt between customers over the most ridiculous things… like a half price pair of socks!
Even so, we wanted to share our Christmas with you and so here are some insights into what Christmas means to us at Advantage One… It is a tradition that every Christmas Eve, Scott’s family wear matching Christmas PJs. His kids open Christmas Eve boxes and they a watch a Christmas film.
Scott’s kids are still quite young and so he still does the whole stalking around after dark shifting presents from their hiding place to the house. I have been out around midnight and witnessed this for myself. The streets are full of parents trying to stealthily move bikes, electronics and other toys quietly into the houses without disturbing anyone. It is very funny. Looks like some sort of reverse burglary!
Of course, the real kicker is when, as you transfer your children’s big presents around midnight, and after two or three glasses of Christmas cheer, realise that they came flat-packed and must be assembled… and before everyone gets up ridiculously early to unwrap them. What fun! Who doesn’t enjoy spending two hours in the early morning building a bike that you will have to wake up to in 4 hours’ time and pretend someone else delivered!
This year Scott has his parents over for breakfast. Then will be joining 18 others at his in-laws house – sounds raucous! I hate going out on Christmas day, but this year I’m going to my local village pub. I have drawn a name for Secret Santa (not sure who she is). Wish me luck with that! Matthew celebrates this Christmas with his elderly mother, son and grandsons. Controversially turkey will not be on the menu. Instead, they prefer beef. Every year Matthew’s brother, knowing of his predilection for red meat, send some bottles of expensive wine… wish I had a brother like that!
When it comes to Brussel sprouts with Christmas lunch, unsurprisingly opinion is divided. Esme and I love them. Craig, in an unusually animated response, is a firm ‘no.’ When it comes to post lunch activities Scott meets up with friends and their kids and they play party games. Notwithstanding that it is the season of goodwill to all men, the customary game of Monopoly inevitably proves somewhat divisive and always ends up in fight! Tempers are subsequently calmed with a communal karaoke session, and all is forgiven – ‘My Way’ anyone?
In similar vein, games at my place create havoc, and are played according to rules ‘unique’ to the family. Evolved over many years, these unique rules barely resemble those on the original box… No wonder I rarely win! Matthew’s clan, including his mum, usually plays games including ‘Who Am I ?’ Matthew’s mum is dyslexic, often leading to hilarious results such as confusing JFK and KFC. The only President to be ‘finger lickin’ good’ I guess.
The question about favourite Christmas films brought no clear winner… Matthew, the old softy, watches Love Actually as his film of choice. Being slightly more action orientated I favour the Die Hard films. But the big surprise has to be Craig. I would never have him down as a Gavin & Stacey fan. Of course, Craig is in for a special treat this year as the very last ever episode is being broadcast over Christmas. Hmm… The last episode… Turns out it is a treat for us all!
Esme and I will be spending our first Christmas in our new home. With lots of fields to roam and squirrels (as well as the now in season pheasants) to chase on the morning walks, Esme is looking forward to bumper fun this year. And although the Met Office says not, I am still hoping for a White Christmas. Nothing says Christmas like hitting a perfectly formed field of snow and artistically adorning it with dog paw and wellie prints before going home.
See you all on Boxing Day…
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