Christmas with the Robots

Can you keep a secret?

Mr Robot and I really enjoyed our lockdown Christmas.

Although we haven't spent Christmas away from home since my mother-in-law died, we usually go up to see my family some time between the end of November and Christmas, which along with my deadlines and the usual seasonal work parties can mean things get a bit hectic. This year, we were able to plan everything and relax, guilt-free. Okay, Ziggy threw a spanner in the works by hurting his paw – which is now all better – and we had thought of going into Bath one day but then decided against it, but the few days before were still lovely and peaceful. 

I always start gift shopping around September, because I know my deadlines are going to be craptastic no matter what and if I leave it till December it won't get done. This year everything was bought online, wrapped, and then mailed out again in time to arrive for Christmas. Annoyingly, two things I ordered in November didn't arrive, but I sent small substitutes and let the recipients know the Big Present would be delivered later. Mr Robot's of the opinion that quantity outweighs quality, so his presents included things like a bag of torreznos – Spanish pork scratchings – and a chocolate orange to make up the numbers. 

We got dressed – I wore the dress I bought for last year's work party, a teal one with lurex stripes in – and started the day with eggs benedict, something that's become our custom in recent years. After that we fell on our mountain of gifts. Mr Robot spoiled me utterly rotten. We'd usually find a couple of spare evenings to go to Bath Christmas Market in early December. Obviously that was cancelled this year, but the organisers had put links to all the traders on their website so he was able to buy a lot from small businesses that way. He chose 'cosy' as a theme, and got me everything from sheepskin slippers to posh hot chocolate, velvet pyjamas to a British wool blanket (I like sitting under my blanket in my chair), socks that look like cat paws to a bit of vintage pulp fiction. He hasn't got anyone else to buy for, so he goes a bit loopy for me. He loved his big present, which was silk pyjamas.

We watched Muppets Christmas Carol – I cried, as always – and had a latish dinner.

Christmas dinner was goose, with everything that goes with it. Ziggy dutifully inspected the whole table to make sure it was up to standard. 

Pippin stayed on the bed. We gave both cats a little dish of goose each, and madam didn't even come down for that, I had to take it up to her! We listened to Christmas tunes, and lingered so long we ended up going to bed afterwards.

It was a really lovely, peaceful day. I've been reading your blogs and enjoying your Christmasses, so I thought I'd share mine too. Here's to us all enjoying reading many more for years to come!