Winter Indulgence

Our generous Christmas gifts

This is our selection of edible gifts that we were given at Christmas!

I have decided to do some regular features throughout the year.  The one that I will start with today is about the seasons, in which I'll discuss the links between the time of year and a type of spending.  So for winter, the focus will be on food.  I often compare myself to a hedgehog in the winter - not that hedgehogs spend money! - but the hibernating behaviour is similar.  The cold, dark evenings lure me to sit on my sofa by the fire and eat chocolate.  I find I need more sleep and more food in the cold months, and so my retail therapy in the past has concentrated around food at this time of year.  Do you ever find yourself going to the supermarket and picking up the nice-looking cheese in the authentic red and white checked packaging, or a big packet of crisps, when the purpose of the visit was simply to buy milk or juice?  I am a sucker for nicely-wrapped things, so biscuits in tins - perhaps reduced in price after Christmas - may well end up in my trolley simply because they look nice and tasty, and I would like a tin to keep after I have eaten the biscuits!

I think after Christmas can be a tricky time as there is an anti-climax after all the festivities.  Often the pay cheque has to last from mid-december until end of January rather than the usual 4 weeks and everything is a bit dreary.  So many people, including myself, will turn to spending: what deals can I get in the sales on household goods? It is so easy now with being able to do it through the computer from home.  Or why not book a holiday on the spur of the moment and cheer ourselves up? Something to look forward to or buy some new clothes to shake up the wardrobe?

Now I am unable to turn to those solutions, I sit on my sofa instead and eat the chocolates that others bought for me!  Is that ok?  Well I guess it is within the rules, but does not necessarily make me feel great long term!  I will return to the issue of food and drink - looking at necessities and luxuries and also the idea of giving gifts - but for now I think I just wanted to share my thoughts about surviving winter without spending.  For me, walking in the woods with my dog is a much better way to spend the day - it really does make me feel good.  I also like to sort in the winter - to collect up things in my house that need to be given away to charity or taken to the tip - it feels like a liberating way to start the new year.  I also always feel drawn towards the kitchen in the winter, to experiment with new recipes - and this again is very satisfying.  I guess these things don't take away the urge to buy, but I do think that when my day is full of other things, there is no time to shop and I feel better for it.

Bye for now.