But this year, it will be my first ever Christmas away from my family (after 27 years) and it’s something I have been dreading all year. After ripping open every toy and gadget, we would hover around mum as she put every ounce of care into making the ultimate Christmas dinner. For me, this was what Christmas was all about growing up as my dad’s side of the family would gather in their dozens for the evening. Together, we would spend hours sharing gifts, playing games, eating all the food and embracing family banter that would last years to come. This, combined with work commitments, travel difficulties, other personal circumstances, plus trying to get back home with a four-hour journey in between has made it difficult to spend Christmas at home this year.

Source: The Times December 22, 2023 05:19 UTC