Here is the latest in our series of blogs by Glasgow students.

Amy McDonald is a journalism student at Glasgow Caledonian University, lover of rose wine and a bit of a drama queen.

 

So it’s Christmas and for a little while (and I mean a little) I can relax and not think about that degree I have to get in the New Year. You know that’s the one that shapes the rest of my life. 

Instead, I am thinking about the mountains of food I am going to happily consume before I have to lose 124573 pounds in the New Year. Man, it’s hard trying to relax with so much to do next year!  But let’s try…

With no grandparents and no other immediate family there are only three people I’m looking forward to spending the festive season with: my mum, dad and younger brother. 

It’s just the four of us, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  The looks of pity and sadness don’t exactly bother me when I mention that it’s just us four. Let’s look at this in a positive way. 

There’s no millions of cousins I haven’t seen since last Christmas that I have to spend all my money on and then there’s no awkward Christmas Day shenanigans when all the family come over and we have to sit round the table pulling crackers and pretending we like each other. I get to spend my Christmas with the three people I love the most in this world.

I wouldn’t say we were a normal family, the four of us are extremely close and that can sometimes seem weird to people. 

We can all talk for hours about anything and everything and never get bored with each other’s company. Christmas Day is usually stress-free and hassle-free. 

We spend most of the day in pyjamas and it wouldn’t be Christmas without some bucks fizz in the morning. 

This year we’re all wearing Christmas jumpers and I have specifically asked for a selfie stick so we can capture the hilarious family moment.  Yes I know, you now think I’m weird. (“Now”? – Ed)

Over the years I have learned to appreciate my family so much as, let’s face it, there’s not a lot of them.

I hold on tight to the time we spend together and the memories that we make and I cherish the fact I have been brought up in a family that can actually spend a day together without tearing each other’s hair out. 

As I’m getting older, Christmas is not about how many presents I get any more. 

For me, it’s all about family. 

The three of them are my rocks and I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for their love and support. 

I hope everyone has a great Christmas; and I hope you treasure those family moments as much as I do.