The Christmas-Off

It's Christmas Eve and I am on my second drink of the day. It's 3.30pm. But it's Christmas Eve and if you can't have a Baileys at midday at Christmas, when can you?


I have spent Christmas in Orlando before, as a CP, watching the Christmas Day Parade on ABC in Vista Way by myself and opening the presents my mum had sent me in a stocking. It wasn't nearly as depressing as it sounds, and then I went to work which kept me busy and cheerful. This year though I feel like I'm coming at it brand new, because it is my first Christmas with my new husband.


One thing that is surprising me is how much I'm missing the wintry atmosphere of being home at Christmas. Not just snow (although I could easily have plenty of that given the state of the place at the moment), but just the cold air on my ears and the way the cold smells and how it gets dark at 4pm. And I am missing Christmas Eve in my hometown of Northallerton, going to all the over-priced pubs and almost falling on my arse on the ice.


When it is 20C outside and bright sunshine, it is hard to find that Christmas spirit, but me and Jason have been working hard at it, and everyone knows that starts with Christmas music.


It had never occurred to me that Christmas music might differ on either side of the pond, but this was driven home to me by one shocking discovery.


Jason had never heard the Fairytale of New York before this week.


I know, I know. If you need to have a lie down, I understand. (Americans: if you, too, have never heard the greatest Christmas song ever written, look it up. It's by the Pogues. Your life will change forever.)


This led to an immediate comparison of favourite Christmas songs, both our favourite good ones and our favourite really crap ones. I seem to favour all the post-70s ones - Elton John, Slade, Wizzard, et al - whereas Jason seems to be more about the golden oldies and a whole world of Johnny Mathis.


This Christmas song has led into a wider 'Christmas-off' of who's country does the better Christmas. And there is no doubt that America, or Florida specifically, since Florida is the only state where I've ever spent Christmas, has some cool stuff going on. My personal favourite is the Candlelight Processional at Epcot. This happens 3 times a night from the end of November until New Year and you have to be there 90 minutes prior minimum to even have a hope of getting a seat. In short, it is a recital of the nativity story by several different celebrities over the course of the month, accompanied by the WDW Orchestra and the Mass Cast Choir. Now I am not a religious person by any means, but I defy anyone not to be moved by Candlelight. It's like a grown-up's nativity play. Me and Jason went last night - our second attempt, after our first last week was thwarted by Disney's failure to label their food and I had to be treated by their in-house paramedics mid-show for an allergic reaction! - and it's the first time I've felt truly festive this year.


Talking of foodstuffs, our Christmas-off descended into who's country does the best Christmas desserts, which I think led to my favourite quote of the year. Apparently, the French are old too, but dammit they know how to make a good pastry.


I've managed to prove I can bake cookies, though. Happy Christmas everyone :)