Breaking With Tradition

It's a (minor) Christmas miracle!

For the first time in living memory all the presents were bought, wrapped and shipped (without needing special overnight postage) in time to be received by Christmas Eve. Technically, there were no guarantees on the "receiving" part but the Post Office's assurance of "should arrive by" is sufficient since most of the intended recipients won't gather at the intended receiving location until the 27^th. And their presents will be waiting for them!

And we've been getting our presents from them over the past couple of days so it seems to be happening in both directions.

This has not occurred in our family in well over a decade, probably closer to two. We have long accepted that Christmas tradition consists of rising early on the morn, gathering around the lit tree, eating a hearty breakfast, watching a parade and a football game or three and then opening presents day by day as they trickle in over the ensuing fortnight. Anything arriving by New Year's Day is considered on-time. It's usually only the pets that ever find anything for themselves under the tree.

This year, we'll do it all in one sitting.

It's going to feel like a very short holiday this time around.