Hello, and welcome to Drabbletober. This is an occasional bonus episode, for the thirtieth of December, 2025.
Don't Wake Christmas
by Elizabeth Guilt
Christmas lies glutted with turkey and mince pies, asleep behind the sofa. A child shrieks with glee, still delighted with a new toy, and Christmas stirs, muttering half-words of whiskey and late-night cocoa.
A parent begins to gather up the discarded ribbons and wrapping paper, smoothing them out with vague thoughts of next year. They nudge Christmas.
"You indolent beast, lying there in a smear of cranberry. Entertain us!"
Christmas waves them blearily away.
"I'm tired. Go and see Hogmanay for your fun."
And Christmas shuffles off, to nest comfortably among the tinsel and paper chains until Advent.
I'm actually a big fan of keeping Christmas up till Twelfth Night, though it's not always easy to keep the festive feeling when January looms with all its back-to-work vibes. Whatever you celebrate—or don't—at this time of year, I hope you're safe and warm, and finding the opportunity to rest.