The whole thing was commercial and fake like Santa and snowmen in this warm, humid country, Christopher complained. It was Carol who had loved it all. Especially presents, for surely no one can mind a Christmas gift.
But more. She put up their tree, made a Spotify list of her favourite hymns, and got the whole family to the midnight service so he might take communion, at least once a year.
Then there would be a special luncheon for family and close friends who hadn't gone elsewhere: a grand spread with turkey and fruit cake, as well as favourite Peranakan dishes with herbs from her garden. The house overflowed with talking and laughing, eating and drinking. Then, as guests started leaving, she would go around handing out gifts.
Over the years, things changed. Their children - Beth and Nick - now took their own families on skiing holidays. The luncheon guests seemed suddenly older with less to look forward to.
Shopping, from the pandemic onwards, went online. She became Queen of the Black Friday sales and used the time saved to specially wrap each gift: You can't give a proper present in bubble-shrink-wrap, can you?
Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
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Denne historien er fra December 22, 2024-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Jail and cane for man who preyed on 3 girls, including sister
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Coffee shop operator, 76, jailed for pushing man, 80, leading to his death
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Man who worked with young people at PA jailed for sexually assaulting teenager
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