Parenting

Peta Todd on why we should be grateful for Christmas as we can focus on loved ones


The mum-of-four talks family life in her weekly column. Today Peta, who is married to Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish, talks about festive cheer.

IT’S that magical time of year – you know, November. Shops are full of glitzy tack and 2-for-1 offers on perfume you have never heard of before. The festive period is here with bells on.

 Peta Todd talks about this glitzy magical time of the year

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Peta Todd talks about this glitzy magical time of the yearCredit: Stewart Williams – The Sun

Are you one of those that love the jingle bells ringing like tinnitus from the minute the last firework fizzles out after Bonfire Night? Or do you keep celebrations strictly to December?

I personally love Christmas and having a house full of excited children bubbling with all the magic that it brings.

Not to mention, the “Father Christmas is watching” bribe works a treat so I want to benefit from that for as many weeks as possible.

However, owing to my birthday being on December 8, my family always held off decorating the tree until after that date had passed, so as not to overshadow my day with tinsel and turkey talk. As an adult, this mythical tradition has stood and, so far, we haven’t put up so much as a card before that date.

FOCUS ON LOVED ONES

But this year I feel like maybe I could shirk that barrier to festive cheer. I think this weekend is the one.

The time has come to put celebrating my birth firmly on the back burner and crack out the nativity sooner than ever before.

I know there are many people, my husband included, who shudder at that first note from Mariah in the shops.

Mark says the sleigh bells haunt his sleep and that festivities should be confined to the 12 days before the big day.

I’m not sure if it’s the hustle and bustle or the music that is such an irritant to him – or the fact that his training doesn’t stop just because it’s December so, while everyone else is on wind-down, he is winding back up for the new season.

Or maybe it’s the thought of having time with all the family at once, with no escape, that freaks him out.

 The ex-model is trying to convert her husband, Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish, into loving this season as much as she does

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The ex-model is trying to convert her husband, Olympic cyclist Mark Cavendish, into loving this season as much as she doesCredit: Stewart Williams – The Sun

Jokes aside, I have tried to lure him in year after year, by pointing out the fun the kids have due to them being constantly topped up with a miniature candy cane – I love anything miniature – and I think he is slowly thawing.

Truth is, most people are chirpier with a giant tin of Quality Street in sight, right?

And in a world where we are fed fear and uncertainty, a season where we can focus on loved ones is something we should be grateful for.

I know it’s easy to get lost in this “buy, buy, buy” consumer culture but, for me, underneath the presents, the elf on a shelf (which will never happen in my house) and the supermarket Christmas adverts, I think there is still a basic feeling of goodwill to all.

If we can eke out a couple more weeks of smiling at strangers and eating miniature versions of food, then I’m all for it.

So this year, the tree is going up before my birthday. 2019 . . .  I’m ready for you.

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