I'm lucky see. I don't have all this family stuff to do.

Christmas has to be a time to gel as a family,

thought you could lose 'has to be' though I suppose the coersion is there.

Sometimes, just staying at home seems like a wonderful treat.

Home alone that is - hybernating

Thanks for reading, Oonah. I'm not sure about your suggestion of dropping 'has to be' as I wanted to convey the compulsion despite the reluctance of family members. Besides all that .........I wanted to keep the syllable count.

joanie

Yes I recognised that. It does make more sense. You know, I've read that much today, I'm flagging! - can you get poem fatigue? ;

I can identify with this, Joanie. Know the feeling well, how nice it is just to stay home. I think you've expressed it well - the compulsion, the fight to make Christmas what everyone thinks it is supposed to be.
Robin

<Added>

PS - What's a satnav?

Thanks Robin. One of those devices you put in your car and the nice lady inside it tells you where to go. Satellite navigation.

joanie

Puts it so succinctly, 'Battling' against the will to avoid familial festivities!
Apparently some families actually enjoy Xmas together - imagine!

Thanks, Barbara! Yes! .... just imagine!

joanie

Joanie thank you. You know the address to send it to, asap please.

Hi Joanie,

good one. Liked the imagery of setting the

satnav to 'fun'

. From experience I know this internal navigation can also end up driving you into the river.

Cheers

Mark

Hi Joanie - know this feeling well. Ah for some time off!!

Mark and Darren - thank you! Oonah - it's been sent!

joanie