So Long, Santas

Away back in the 1980's I started my own Christmas tradition of one new Santa each year.  My first was the rather handsome gentleman kind of in the middle of this picture, who is holding a bag over his shoulder, and has a nice black belt holding his tunic closed.

He cost me £18 at a time I earned £5000 a year, so was a pretty expensive buy for a decoration.  Since then I have treated myself to a new Santa every single year, in one form or another.  My favourites are the first one, then Doorstep Santa (dumpy squat guy to the back and right of the first one), and Cardboard Santa (not in this picture) who was given as a stand-up Christmas card by my aunt and uncle. 

For someone who looks like they are Bah-Humbug about Christmas, I have got to say I feel I get into the spirit of it all more than most, just as soon as the work of it all is over.  And so it is today, as I took down all the decorations, cards hanging on ribbons on the wall, wreath from the front door, mini-trees from the upstairs windows and all the Santas who have been carefully positioned around the house.  I put them all on the kitchen table ready to be wrapped up in paper and packaged away safely until next year.

Like most folk, I always feel the house is bare, colourless and empty for a time after the decorations and the tree have been taken down.  Was glad my sister stopped by to take me for a wee drive in her new car to cheer me up.  Had a takeaway for tea, and a glass of wine (well, it's got to be drunk) and a last wee mincepie for pudding. 

Back to work properly tomorrow.  What. A. Bummer.