Christmas Is Around The Corner

Well people, it's almost Christmas. Even for non-christian people, this is a busy time of year.

I mean, in a few weeks most businesses and shops will be closed for anything between a day to a whole week. I don't know how people cope with this societal pause.

And so, regardless of your denomination or your family structure and dynamics, the next couple of weeks will be likely spent trying to resist the urge to panic buy and to stock up as if you were in preparation for World War III.

I don't worry too much. Especially now, as my family live on a different continent. Christmas doesn't hold the same meaning anymore. I'm not a religious man, but Christmas, for me, is a time for people to remember who they are, where they are from and to spend time with loved ones.

Also, now having Christmas in Australia, seeing fairy lights and tinsel and any number of other decorations twinkle and blink in the sunshine simply does not provide the magic it did back home in the dead of winter. Those same lights and decorations, all shiny and special, when surrounded by long, dark nights, ice, snow and frost, have a mysterious hold over people. With temperatures so low people can see their own breath freeze on the air in front of them, those twinkling lights keep a promise of warmth that goes beyond temperature.

Of course I am romanticising Christmas in Scotland, and indeed my childhood memories. But nonetheless, Christmas here is very different.

And in general, I have been pretty busy of late anyway.

My photography business is doing well, with portraits and such. I introduced the selling of an Ebook, and hope to be rolling out photography workshops next year too. In a few weeks I'll also be photographing my first wedding. Very exciting. I'm probably more excited than the groom or bride. Really!

Next year will be interesting, and full of surprises, I'm sure.

Are you all prepared for Christmas and for 2013?