I think I've got this Christmas Shopping this sorted
Got to Chester for 10 am, buttonholed Marks and Spencer's sales lady to show me where requested "items" were located and boom!!!! All done dusted and sorted before the shopping hoards arrived and the streets were nose-to-nipple with bored looking shoppers.
I rang my friend Nigel for a chat as I sat under an umbrella by the river then went to the Storyhouse to see midday screening of the Japanese movie Shoplifters which is a powerful but meandering and slightly depressing story of the importance of family.
When I got home I found a miniature Christmas Tree on the doorstep with a simple unsigned note pinned to it which said " Everyone Needs A Christmas Tree xxx"
I've set it up in the living room
Whoever left it.....thank you
Lovely tree. It seems to add light and warmth to your home. An added bonus, keeps you wondering about who? You deserve it, enjoy. The first year is the toughest, you look to be coping well, with choir and the new car and the new job. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful for the gift as I've never been without a tree..I wonder who left it
DeleteThe tree looks quite nice, and yes, everyone needs to have a little Christmas cheer. You are lucky to have a strong circle of friends.
ReplyDeleteWhat grand weather you still must have, to sit in a chair by the river.
ReplyDeleteIt was pouring down
DeleteWell done. Yesterday got mum's old Christmas card out . It's a robin on a tree stump. She painted it herself before her eyesight deteriorated. The rest of Christmas can wait. I'm a last minute shopper dasher.
ReplyDeleteA nice tradition gwil
DeleteWhat a lovely gesture! You have some good friends.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, and nice to have the shopping done. I finished my shopping and wrapping. HoHoHo!
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming gift of a Christmas tree from an anonymous friend.
ReplyDeleteWell done that person! I was worried about your Christmas tree situation. The whole reason for celebration at this time of year, long before Christian practices, was to bring light at the darkest time of the year. I see you have lights on the mantelpiece, now you have the tree. Lovely to sit in the dark by the fire and enjoy it, meets some primeval need and very comforting I have found.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really want to make the effort but I am glad I have
DeleteI am glad too, John. I think you will feel stronger for it after all is said and done.
DeleteYour tree looks lovely all lit up. And what a nice thing for the mystery Santa to do. The cottage is looking good. All the best,John.
ReplyDeleteHow thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteArilx
You have the sweetest, kindest, and most thoughtful friends John. You are a lucky man!
ReplyDeleteit is a bit of a melancholy film but very good at what it does.
ReplyDeleteThe first half was a bit pedestrian ..loved the grandma , the actress who played her died shortly after the film was completed
DeleteYes, agree and agree.
DeleteProb'ly Wed. for me to see this.
DeleteA lovely, heart-warming gesture. Your photo has spurred me on to drag my Christmas tree out and set it up. I wasn't going to bother but ther lights will be for my benefit even if no-one else sees them. So thank you, John and thanks to your anonymous tree-giver.
ReplyDeleteYes..I'm glad I've finally put some lights up. However I won't bother with anything else
DeleteI love the simplicity of the tree. I warms the space.
ReplyDeleteI just read about that film, seems like it would be a very melancholy viewing.
Should say IT warms the space. ahaha
DeleteI remember once when I was a single mother but past my first Christmas after the divorce and the woman next door lost her husband. My children and I got her a tiny tree and decorated it and took it over to her and she kept that tree in its pot and every year she had the kids over to decorate it again and it became a beloved ritual which grew with the tree.
ReplyDeleteThat is so sweet and a lovely story for your children to remember
DeleteWhat a lovely thing to find. There's a French folk song about a man who asks a neighbour for some firewood and receives it, and he says 'it was only a bit of wood, but it warmed my heart, and it still burns in my spirit like a huge bonfire.' The words have stayed in my mind because sometimes the smallest gesture can have a huge effect. Random Acts of Kindness are good for the donor as well as the recipient.
ReplyDeleteYes I too like those words and shall remember them
DeleteWhat a lovely mystery pressie.
ReplyDeleteI have my Christmas tree up - becoming a widow is not going to stop me enjoying Christmas!
You have to meet adversity head on.
I have learned that from your posts
DeleteWhat a lovely gift the little tree is. We will get our tree tomorrow, so late with everything this year.
ReplyDeleteI have not watched any Asian films for a long time but when I did, I always found Japanese made small films about life , Korean films everyone cried and Hong Kong films everyone died except the bad guy.
cheers, parsnip and badger
It's worth seeing and has a lot to say about the ties of family
DeleteThe tree is a testament to how people feel about you.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely gift and I still don't know who left it
DeleteWhat a lovely heart warming gift John, you have such thoughtful friends, kindness has it's own reward there is joy in giving and you have have made a difference in many people's life, lovely photo by the way.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking at the tree now in the dark, lovely
DeleteA beautiful and loving gift! I love to sit at night with all the lights off and only the lights on the tree. There is something magical about a tree with lights in a dark room.
ReplyDeleteSee above.....me too
DeleteI went to M & S first thing yesterday morning on my way home from a night shift, you should have seen the queue of people waiting for it to open at 8 am! I did whatvi considered to be the civilised thing and waited in Costa, with a coffee.
ReplyDeleteI won't be having a Christmas tree, but love the idea of someone leaving you one secretly.
Now u must buy yourself a tiny one like mine
DeleteThere is something special about lights at this time of year when there is little natural light in the northern hemisphere. Your new little tree reminds me of how much I like the Christmas lights.
ReplyDeleteI was thinking of taking in that film but if it's depressing I don't know that I will!
Yes it's not quite a Christmas movie
DeleteI agree with jenny_o regarding the special feel of lights this time of the year. Having homed 2 little orphan kittens, found last August, a tree is not an option but have strung up some blue lights over the top of the china cabinet and it seems to add a bit of peace and calmness in the evenings. (something that we are short supply of with 2 new kittens just introduced, last week, to our 2 older cats - 3 out of 4 success but 1 very unhappy) I've always thought your home looks cozy and comforting, the lights just must make it extra so. Ranee (MN) USA
ReplyDeleteLights, especially multicoloured ones are joyful are they not
DeleteWhat a lovely gift. What lovely friends you have. xx
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic thing for someone to do, the tree looks very pretty with those lovely soft lights, makes your cottage cosier somehow.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
What a delightful gift.
ReplyDeleteA mood and ambience lifter.
Oh John.... I hope you see how all those kind words and little kindnesses you have given others in your village have now returned to you when you are on the mend! I almost hope you never find out which villager gave the tree , so you can smile at each person you pass on the street.
ReplyDeleteNice thought.
DeleteTo be sure, just smile at everyone you meet...
DeleteWhat a sweet and thoughtful gift that wee Christmas tree is and, as the oh-so-true note said, everyone does need a Christmas tree to warm the heart and soul. Blessings all around!
ReplyDeleteWe've gotten about 10" of snow today and more is likely. Want some?
Hugs!
No thanks
DeleteThat tree. It's a bomb timed to go off at 12.01 Christmas morning...
ReplyDeleteDid u send it
DeleteThere are a lot of kind, thoughtful people about - hence the Christmas tree.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful Christmas tree. It's full of love.
ReplyDeleteWhat loverly friends you have.
ReplyDeleteYou are so well- loved in that village! I'm glad you have that tree!! Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThis is what I call "An amazing day." Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteBest tree ever!!! :)...
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry you weren't home when I dropped that off, John. :^D
ReplyDeleteI followed a link here and it has brightened my day, thank you so much. I needed a bit of sunshine. I smiled as you mention go to some places I visited in my one and only visit to the UK. I hope you have a happy Christmas.
ReplyDeleteYou have such wonderful friends, John. All the good that you have put out to others, has come back to you at this difficult time. You might not feel it now, you are a very fortunate man.
ReplyDeleteNow you can NEVER leave the village. Somewhere where people leave you a Christmas tree as a prezzie, is a treasure.
ReplyDeleteIt shows that John was right to stay in the village. I would love to live in such a friendly village.
DeleteIt's still not a god given fact
DeleteYes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus......
ReplyDeleteNice to see people care about you John.
I’ve got my tree up in the living room, wreath on front door and lights hung in the front window and along front porch. Turn them on each night.
Only two presents to buy for the charity Xmas tree.
And just received a Xmas card from sister.
Now for the bloody hot Xmas down under.
The Christmas tree was a wonderful thoughtful gift.
ReplyDeleteLovely little tree and nice someone cared.
ReplyDeleteYou draw love and kindness to you. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteLovely - so glad someone left you that tree!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that some kind person has gifted you your lovely little tree. It looks like it may be a rooted one that will grow for years to come. You are loved in blogland and loved in Trelawnyd. Enjoy the glow of your tree lights each evening and feel the love xx
ReplyDelete