And so, I’ve survived. The extra 2 kilos have, after some reassertion of discipline, shrunk to 1 (pat on both shoulders). The extra year will go nowhere but as I’ve seen for myself, it doesn’t kill me (hooray!).

I was asked about presents. I’m not big on presents. Don’t get me wrong, I love buying and giving presents. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays for that reason. I’m just not fussed about receiving them. Why? Maybe because growing up, I’ve never had them, so I don’t tend to expect them. As I mentioned, Mum and Dad didn’t do birthday parties. Nor were they into presents. Christmas was never celebrated as we are not Christians. As a child, I could only imagine what it was like to behold a beautifully wrapped box in anticipation of the mystery inside. It wasn’t a big disappointment or anything that I didn’t get one – no one in the family did and I got plenty of ang pows instead! – it was more a curiosity of what it might have been like. To have something tangible of my parents’ love, which I never doubted, but was never expressed in words, or gestures. I suspect this explains why I love giving presents. To recreate the sense of mystery that I missed, and to let someone know that a piece of my thought and care is wrapped in there.

Another reason I’m not into receiving presents is that buying one for me is apparently endlessly stressful. The common refrain is “what do you get for a woman who has everything?”. Well, I don’t obviously have everything, but yes, I emphathise with the conundrum. I guess presents can be a great way to meet a need, want or wish that is out of reach. But if you are financially self sufficient and generally sensible with your wishes (that’s me of course), they no longer serve that purpose. Instead, presents to me are more an expression of love. Hence I often say, it’s the thought that counts and I mean every word of it. I don’t need anything fanciful or expensive. A card made or written with thoughtfulness will make my day. I would much prefer that anytime to anything hastily bought, no matter how expensive (maybe I shouldn’t say this too soon!). Last year, Bro bought me a toaster for Christmas. A toaster! I love it, and greatly appreciate the thought behind it. Bro saw that Son loves toast and understood his sister would probably never get her act together to get a toaster.. I still remember the warmth I felt when I tore apart the beautiful paper and saw the mystery inside.

Of all people, Husband probably has it the toughest. God knows he has tried over the years. But alas, he has completely given up by now. I suspect his confidence was crushed the moment it dawned on him that I wore his first present to me, a vintage butterfly brooch he bought in London when we were dating, only once.. I tried to explain that it has to go with the outfit, but I don’t think he ever recovered. Happily, we have found a solution. It goes like this – I’ll buy whatever I want and depending on the time of the year, attribute it to him as a present for Valentine’s Day /birthday /anniversary /Christmas /Bonus Day, in that order. If I buy more than my due, which is a frequent occurrence, then it’s simply a present in advance. This is a bit short on the mystery factor but otherwise works like a charm, you ought to try it!

This year was special though. On the eve of my fortieth, he achieved the target he set for his business. This is probably his best present to me yet – a ride on his rainbow, exquisitely wrapped.