FOR the first time since the Teen has been on this earth, we will be spending Christmas Day with friends and not family this year.

If my parents are disappointed, they haven’t expressed it; instead both are wishing me and the Teen a very happy day.

Although I am glossing over mum’s occasional comments that she and my stepfather will be eating a Bird’s Eye turkey for two “all alone” with nothing but Terry Wogan on the wireless for company.

And yesterday she held out two party poppers, sadly noting that they were all they would need for Christmas Day.

Oh well. It is just one day. And Christmas celebrations do go on for two weeks, after all.

The first time I spent Christmas without my family I was an annoying 18-year old who thought she could change the world.

It was a sort of protest against family, love, cosiness and cheer, all of which I had in abundance.

I was sharing a flat with three others near Putney and my only decorations on the damp walls were tiny pictures by Klimt and a fake Moomin picture sketched by Tracey Emin.

I can’t remember what we ate for Christmas lunch, but I can remember that we drank my friend’s stock of elderflower wine.

When I look back now, I think I was having some sort of funny turn.

This Christmas will be very different to last year, and it will serve to soften my memories of when I was busy creating a life with someone who is no longer by my side.

And it will be a plus not to have to deal with the hyper-vigilance of my nearest and dearest seeking out signs of sadness on my face – not that there are many, if any, now.

I’ve sort of moved on, I think, unless I am still in shock.

Either way, I’m all right.

The Teen, who loves nothing more than reminding me of the disappointments faced in life as an only child, is delighted at the prospect of spending the day with four other meddlesome teenagers.

However, she did have a bit of an outburst when I told her we would be eating beef and not turkey.

“But Christmas won’t be the same without turkey. We have to have turkey. We have roast beef all the time.”

She flounced off muttering something about “normal Sunday lunch” and “chestnut stuffing”.

Frankly I am delighted that we will be eating something other than turkey.

Let’s be honest, most of us end up eating turkey leftovers for five days straight and by day three I am usually desperate for a burger to break the monotony.

But because I love the Teen, I have relented. I will buy the teeniest turkey I can find and cook it the day before to take to our friends, so the Teen will be able to enjoy her turkey for one, much like my mother and stepfather.

I feel a bit guilty now.

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here

Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here