Let's be fat and lively
Christmas could be so wonderful—if only it weren't for the run-up to Christmas. Column by Werbewoche editor Anne-Friederike Wilhelm.
I’ve failed miserably again this year in the neighborhood Christmas light competition. My red poinsettia just can’t compete with all the string lights, glittery reindeer, glowing Santas, and twinkling stars. But I do have a Christmas tree. It’s still standing, smells like the forest, and seems proud of its red and gold ornaments. Still: When, for the umpteenth time in the crowded Globus store, a plastic Christmas tree buyer sweeps past me with a sweeping turn, knocking me off my feet, I’m plagued by a guilty conscience: Maybe my little tree would have preferred to stay in the forest? Maybe it would have gladly ceded its spot to a plastic counterpart?!
Rich Pastries
When it comes to cookies this year, I’ve gone with paid content. I’ve only bought a few myself—otherwise, my belly would never part with its love handles. But such foresight is, of course, punished right before Christmas: Over the weekend, I was handed a big box of cookies: «Homemade!» Great. So now, as I munch on these cookies, I’ve got a double dose of guilt: first, because of that roll of fat I mentioned, and second, because I didn’t even bake a few cookies myself. It’s a shame. But at Christmas, you’re supposed to be grateful. So with every bite, I’m grateful and push aside the thought of foisting the cookies on my New Year’s Eve guests.
At least I’ve outsmarted the shopping-crazy crowd and picked out the important gifts back in November. Ribbons and wrapping paper have been sitting in the box since October. But what if my loved ones have bought themselves books and little treasures in the meantime? Then that’s a bummer. That prospect stresses me out just a little. Sometimes, even the early bird catches a worm.
And then there are those last-minute pre-Christmas parties. Everywhere you go, you have to dress up to the nines, stuff yourself, and praise the food, while the boss’s speech ruins the last shred of your appetite. And don’t forget to keep that blissful smile or happy glow, just like the gold-foil angels currently floating through all the commercials. Why is it that Christmas parties never seem to fall victim to budget cuts? It’s also important to meet up with all your colleagues and acquaintances one last time before Christmas. Why, nobody knows. Is the world going to end at Christmas? … On the other hand … I could take the opportunity to give away a few more delicious cookies. «Homemade!» of course.
Lean structures
My mind is made up: This year, I’m simply going to close all the doors of my Advent calendar behind me and enjoy the peace and quiet, my Christmas tree, my poinsettia, and wait for a solid, genuine, gnawing feeling of hunger before I eat anything again. After all, in 2010, the trend is all about keeping things lean.
Anne-Friederike Wilhelm
Rich Pastries
When it comes to cookies this year, I’ve gone with paid content. I’ve only bought a few myself—otherwise, my belly would never part with its love handles. But such foresight is, of course, punished right before Christmas: Over the weekend, I was handed a big box of cookies: «Homemade!» Great. So now, as I munch on these cookies, I’ve got a double dose of guilt: first, because of that roll of fat I mentioned, and second, because I didn’t even bake a few cookies myself. It’s a shame. But at Christmas, you’re supposed to be grateful. So with every bite, I’m grateful and push aside the thought of foisting the cookies on my New Year’s Eve guests.
At least I’ve outsmarted the shopping-crazy crowd and picked out the important gifts back in November. Ribbons and wrapping paper have been sitting in the box since October. But what if my loved ones have bought themselves books and little treasures in the meantime? Then that’s a bummer. That prospect stresses me out just a little. Sometimes, even the early bird catches a worm.
And then there are those last-minute pre-Christmas parties. Everywhere you go, you have to dress up to the nines, stuff yourself, and praise the food, while the boss’s speech ruins the last shred of your appetite. And don’t forget to keep that blissful smile or happy glow, just like the gold-foil angels currently floating through all the commercials. Why is it that Christmas parties never seem to fall victim to budget cuts? It’s also important to meet up with all your colleagues and acquaintances one last time before Christmas. Why, nobody knows. Is the world going to end at Christmas? … On the other hand … I could take the opportunity to give away a few more delicious cookies. «Homemade!» of course.
Lean structures
My mind is made up: This year, I’m simply going to close all the doors of my Advent calendar behind me and enjoy the peace and quiet, my Christmas tree, my poinsettia, and wait for a solid, genuine, gnawing feeling of hunger before I eat anything again. After all, in 2010, the trend is all about keeping things lean.
Anne-Friederike Wilhelm
