I am writing this, wrapped in a woollen Indian blanket with my laptop perching precariously on the top of the gas heater, to ensure maximum warmth. Do not try this at home.
December gives me the shivers for two reasons. Firstly, it's the time for humidity to hit the island, making our houses colder than the deepest depths of Siberia. Secondly, there's all that shopping we need to do this month.
I am a terrible shopper even at best of times, but at Christmas time I feel hopelessly lost, ambling cluelessly in jostling crowds, not knowing what gifts I should be getting for whom.
And, by the way, don't you hate the word 'gift'? It sounds so trim, so commercial, so clinical. I much prefer the other word, 'present', which no one seems to use any more. (Actually, for some little useless information to back up my feeling, it is derived from the old English word 'asgift', meaning 'payment for a wife'. Huh.)
This year, I want to make shopping for Christmas pressies as enjoyable as possible. I'm going to get loved ones small luxury things I love buying, that is, books, food (and wine) and theatre tickets. No better present than to feed the body and mind with quality ingredients, I say.
Also, this year, I have reviewed my parenting philosophy with regard to toys. The few toys I shall give this Christmas will be made of wood. I have realised that plastic ages terribly. Plastic toys are a sad sight after less than a year. Which is surprising, considering how cheerful they look on the shop shelves, and television adverts.
Such a build-up of high expectations! My daughter is convinced that if I get her a certain loop-the-hoops game advertised on Cartoonito, we'll also be getting, in tow, the real elephant starring in the devious ad.
It's a known fact that interest in these telly-advertised toys is very, very temporary. (Though have you ever noticed how, when dragged away from man-made things, kids play for hours on end with pebbles and sticks and leaves?). So it's no to plastic. The other day, I threw out three black dustbin bags full of old Tal-Lira plastic toys - Pippa didn't even notice.
As of now, I'm only investing in toys which will withstand the test of time, made of real and proper materials: glass, wood, metal, cloth. And which, seeing as I am surrounded by them all the time, are aesthetically pleasing.
To my delight, I have discovered a tiny little shop in Naxxar which actually stocks toys like these. The shop is actually a toy museum, but not one of those eerie ones where you see bald dolls with scary faces staring at you from some dark corner. It's a cosy corner lovingly run by a hippie expat, and home to music boxes, picnic sets and hand-made wooden musical instruments.
That's the toys sorted. And now, onto books. There are several shops around the island where you can buy collections and anthologies, books for children and the latest bestsellers.
If you're still stuck for ideas, why not buy someone a couple of theatre tickets? Perhaps you could add a good bottle of organic wine, or some delicious Fortnum and Mason chocolates everyone drools over but no one ever buys for themself.
Do not feel guilty for not buying the latest gadgets or a new outfit for your loved ones. You get a headache trying to buy any of those (does it have bluetooth/apps/ gigabytes? Is this the right size/colour/length?)
Remember, Christmas is supposed to be all about joy and love and merriment. But everyone seems to be rushing about in a stressful daze. Take a leaf out of the three kings' book. Be wise, very wise when shopping for Christmas presents.
krischetcuti@gmail.com