It’s creeping up a bit quickly now, isn’t it? The 25th. How are you getting on? Tree up yet? Presents bought? Cards sent? (Do people still send cards through the post?)

A friend of mine is way ahead in terms of planning for Christmas – his tree and decorations are always up on the twelfth day of December, whenever that means, complete with a Christmas train on a snowy track bringing gifts from Santa. It fills an entire room and makes real smoke and tinkly festive music. Honestly! My friend is so prepared for Christmas, it’s incredible. His pudding and cake are all done, cards up, goose ordered.

Goose?

His house is so spangly it looks like Las Vegas outside and inside. I love it. It’s not like my little cottage, in a dark corner behind darker trees. I’m never prepared – other things get in the way. One year we put the decorations up on December 26^th… we’re usually in Christmas chaos by the 24th.

But the positive news is that I’ve been a good girl this year, Santa Baby, and I’ve sent off the second edit of The Cornish Witch, out in April. I can’t wait for you to read my next Elena Collins. And I’ve written the one after that, which involved a labour of love and a trip to the Highlands.I’m so excited about my next few books in all genres.

For many of us, Christmas is about family, but I always try to remember those who’ve lost someone and I know myself that the empty seat(s) at the table can be quite overwhelming. There are people who have no families, food or homes, people in war-torn counties, people for whom this will be their last Christmas. I always try to remember them in some way.

In our house, we’re lucky that our dilemmas are small ones – do we make the miso-roasted Brussel sprouts or the vodka-baked ones? What stuffing shall we put in the middle of the chestnut wellington? (Cranberry’s my fave.) What shall we get for the secret Santa present? It’s good to have such small problems.

Inevitably, we spend the time between Christmas and New Year (-it’s called the time between Christmas and Nigeria in our house, thanks to a great friend and one of his hilarious stories,) thinking about the passing year and looking forward to the new one. For me it’s been a year of creativity – the rebuilding of our old house and the writing of new novels. And it’s been about being thankful for good health and good people. We hope for sunny days and snowy ones, each one spent with a smile.

There have been some real high points this year too. Liam’s wedding to Maddie in June was so beautiful and memorable. Travel always features highly with me – whether I’m just taking off in the van, or on family holidays and research trips with the intrepid Big G.

And having lost a womaderful cat in 2023, we’ve adopted Batface this summer, a stray who wanted to stay. More of him to come.

Being with new friends and old is special, spending time and sharing laughs. Special thanks to those of you who’ve dragged me away from the laptop and my perpetual hyperfocus, for a break. I need it!

And book successes – Boldwood Books and their fabulous authors are going from strength to strength. That’s as it should be. What a team! I couldn’t be more delighted that Boldwood’s own Mary Grand’s latest novel in her cozy crime series has hit the number one spot. That was truly inspirational and made my heart glow. Supportive and sweet-natured, Mary has worked tirelessly for years and she deserves so much – as do many other writers. It will be their year next year, I know it. The author of my book of 2024 comes into this category – it’s the funniest thing I’ve read in ages: check it out here.

Saturday 21^st is the Winter Solstice. I walk in the woods every morning and it’s a good feeling that I can start out from home a bit earlier once the new year arrives. I always do the mirror thing on solstices – if you’ve read The Witch’s Tree, you’ll know what I mean. It involves mirrors, obviously, any sunlight you can find to  reflect and a heartfelt wish.

I wish for the same thing every solstice… this year will be no different.

Then on 25^th it’s time to celebrate Christmas, and for me, that’s about inclusivity. Family, friends, neighbours, people I hardly know, people I know better than I used to, people I’ll never meet. I want to find ways to include them a little in my Christmas thanksgiving. Depending on one’s religious beliefs, Christmas involves prayer, time in church, blessings, remembrance, solitude – each of us has our own personal way of rejoicing and reflecting.

So whether you’ll be at Midnight Mass, celebrating Hanukkah in the synagogue, or dancing on the tables after midnight, I’ll wish you a wonderful Christmas time and the very best in the new year.

If you can, come and celebrate with me in some way in 2025. I’m always a girl for a party.

I hope 2025 will be truly great for you.

May you have joy and love and health, and may all your dreams come true.

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