Last year was my first Christmas in the UK but for some reason this year is feeling more like my first Christmas here. Maybe because it feels more like home. . . not sure.

Last year I was really broke so I didn’t do any Christmas shopping. We did have a tree but I already had the ornaments so there was no need for me to buy anything. (We aren’t having a tree this year. Stuart wanted a fake. Jen wanted real. I didn’t care. . . although I preferred a real one– I just didn’t want to have to do all of the decorating by myself like I did last year. And since I haven’t made a tree happen . . . there is no tree. I’m not that fussed. I decided to decorate my desk at work instead since I live there anyway.)

I’ve been struck by how when you buy something, the person checking you out doesn’t say Merry or Happy Christmas. In America, it would be a common thing to say. . . I’ve had to control myself to not churp Holiday Greetings in my flat little accent. I assuming (hoping) it will be more acceptable in the next few days.

I’ve also had problems finding boxes of Christmas cards. I have seen a few, but my taste in Christmas cards runs to the absurd/esoteric/offensive/blasphemous. My favorite card from recent years is this:

If your taste in cards also runs toward the absurd/esoteric/offensive/blasphemous you can satisfy your need here..

Not that I am going to be mailing out my holiday cards now. Oh, no! We aren’t that organised. Each year I intend on sending out cards, but I never seem to manage it. Luckily since I never send out cards, but love to buy them, I have a few boxes so I will stick them on my collegues desks this week.

My plan is to have a candy cane along with the card, but I haven’t been able to find them yet in The Sainsbury’s or The Boots that I went into. Do they not do candy canes here?

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