Do Good Design

Tired of feeling let down by yet another empty Christmas? That feeling that surely it’s supposed to be better than this that you stifle by saying “Christmas is only fun for kids.”

Well I am. So this year I decided it was time to start trying to find ways to have the magical, wonderful Christmas that I’ve always secretly wanted.

I’m going to be researching old-fashioned Christmas traditions, books to get me in the mood, music that brings in the cheer.

This means a series of posts that has little to do with web design, but lots to do about living a life you love, always a Do Good motto. If there are others like me, they might find some ideas here — or at least be inspired to start finding their own kind of good Christmas.

So what does my magical Christmas look like?

Victorian meets Weasley family Christmas, I’d say. It’s one that’s no doubt programmed into me from a million television ads, A Christmas Carol in 7th grade, and childhood books like The Dark Is Rising (I’ll be posting about that one, you can be sure).

My magical Christmas is a cosy image of snow falling gently on pine trees around the cottage nestled in the woods. The happy family gathered around the tree, hurriedly finishing up their handmade presents for each other. The carol singers going round the town, holding a lantern aloft to light the way to their neighbours’ houses.

There may be a sleigh in there somewhere too.

Enter reality

The reality of Christmas is of course very different. For one, as I like to moan on about, the mild climate and virtually treeless landscape of Orkney means snow on trees won’t be happening. Carol singing has largely gone by the wayside.

We also don’t have kids, so no excited children breathlessly awaiting Santa. Instead we’ll be with Malcolm’s mum Hilda and brother Richard whom thankfully are great, but who won’t exactly be staying awake Christmas Eve, too excited to sleep.

Making it my own

But so what? That means we don’t have to be slaves to other children’s whims — we can follow our own.

So everyday starting on December 1 and running through till Christmas, I’ll feature one thing that’s helping me to get in the mood for Christmas.

Like a secular advent calendar, opening one tiny door to reveal a Christmas treat each day.

Let the jingling of sleighbells begin.