Christmas with Comparison Plus

Merry Christmas from all of us at Comparison Plus and a Happy New Year

We usually use this spot to advertise what we have on offer for Christmas, and try and convince you to buy lots of stuff to wrap up and place under your tree for your family and friends. (This year we have moved that to the other pages so if youre looking for ideas or bargains have a look at those pages, they should be a great help). Instead this year I thought it would be nice to share our Christmas with you.



Christmas is just around the corner again and its time to start trying to figure out what present to buy who. It happens every year, and if you're anything like me it catches you by surprise every time, What do I buy Auntie May this Christmas? last year I bought her a bath gift set containing bath cubes, shampoo, a real sponge, you know the type of thing, I cant do the same again. Every year we have to think of something new, wrap it up in beautiful gift wrapping paper full of Christmas scenes, and hope its what she has always wanted.


Granny Rowley (thats my Dads side of the family) has bought me slippers and a tie every year for as far back as I can remember, it has become a family joke. I am sure I would be disappointed if I got something different, I really look forward to opening my surprise gifts each Christmas. It just wouldnt be the same without them.


Oh and when it comes to buying the kids presents, now thats a nightmare. You know what they want, the kids are never backward at coming forward whenever the words and what would you like for Christmas? get mentioned. So what do you do, if you buy them everything they want, from the latest Nintendo WII, DS or PlayStation Console, I wouldnt be surprised to find all three on the list, along with the top 100 Games for each. It doesnt stop there, no theres nothing like a childs imagination at Christmas. They can think of everything from the afore mentioned consoles right down to dot to dot books, and they are only 5 and 6, whats it going to be like when they are 15 and 16, I dread to think, Better start saving!


I drifted off at a tangent there, I had asked What do you do? There is no problem in figuring out what they want, the problem is in figuring out the right Christmas present for them. We cant buy them everything so if we get it wrong they are going to be disappointed this Christmas and that would spoil our festive cheer. I find that in amongst all the requests for these big expensive shiny toys there are one or two that they really want, deciphering the clues is not that easy though, to date we have done pretty well, but dreading the year we get the kids presents wrong.


Speaking of Christmas, children and presents all in the same sentence, it would be totally wrong to neglect the Christmas Tree. I dont know about you but I lean towards the traditional tree, preferably a scotch pine as they keep their needles better than most and look marvellous in all its trimmings. We always make a night of it when we trim the tree, I hand out the decorations and what the dogs dont eat the kids place on the tree, (no glass baubles anymore, they went the first year the kids started helping). Once all the tinsel and Christmas Crackers have joined the wooden tree ornaments then comes the argument, whos star or angel made at nursery or school is going on the top of the tree? The answer to that is whoevers decoration is not on top gets to turn on the lights, now the argument is about which one isnt going on the top.


The fairy lights... I know why they are called fairy lights. Each year when the tree comes down and all the decorations go away ready for next Christmas, the lights are carefully put away in the attic, all padded out so nothing gets damaged, but the following year without fail when taken out of the box they are all tangled up, after half an hour of untwining the wires you get to plug them in, and would you believe it there are at least two bulbs that dont work but often more. The fairies have had almost a whole year to get the lights in to that state and they do a great job of it.


Christmas Eve, the kids hang up their stockings leave a mince pie and a glass of sherry above the fireplace for Santa when he comes down the chimney, and go off to bed (whether they sleep is another matter). The morning always seems to come too quick, no sooner have I closed my eyes then there are two excited girls jumping on the bed telling me Father Christmas has been, and there are presents under the tree, and assuring me its time to get up, with big grins and expectant faces.


After breakfast, usually Coca Pops (the girls choice) its present opening time, the eldest is very methodical and opens her presents carefully, folding up the wrapping paper and putting it in the bin, the youngest is the complete opposite, the wrapping paper gets ripped of the present faster than Jenson Button can make a pit stop, she then gets really excited about whats inside and must play with it now! The other unopened presents are forgotten her focus is completely on the toy in hand, until reminded she has more.


The Christmas Dinner, We have broken with tradition here, one year Suzanne was ill on Christmas Day and couldnt face eating, so instead we had our turkey dinner on Boxing Day.
This worked so well that we always have the main Christmas meal on Boxing Day, now Christmas Day we have a buffet instead, its a lot less hectic and the kids can enjoy their presents, also makes it easier for relatives that want to visit over Christmas, especially Suzannes mum who is now able to have Christmas dinner with her grandchildren.


From then on its a gradual wind down from all the excitement, playing with the kids, teaching them about their new toys (well lately its more them teaching us) eating leftover turkey waiting for the New Year, so can start planning to do it all again.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Wherever you are whatever you are, doing this Christmas, take a little time out and think of those who may not be having such a good Christmas and pray next year will be better for them.