It’s coming up to my favourite time of year. I mean the bit from December 27 until January 1st, the Twixtmas bit.
I’ve always worked between Christmas and New Year. By then I’m happy to seek out a little ‘normality’, given the whole thing seems to start in September when retail replaces Back to School with the first mince pies and cardiac-inducing XXXL tins of Roses. These few days become a Quiet Zone for finishing anything that didn’t get done before Christmas Eve and for getting a head start on anything that might need to be done in the first few days of January. The phone doesn’t ring, there are no virtual or actual meetings and best of all there’s a broad acceptance that Nothing Is Going to Get Done until January. Not round here, Santa Jim…..I’m Having a Think whilst you lot are Having a Drink. IN CAPS. This year I shall be reviewing a Tone of Voice and personality traits brief. Ha and indeed Ho – on the 27th or 30th I shall rudely break in to the client’s turkey fricassee induced slumber and blindside him with an email containing a T of V point of view. The last of 2019.
He won’t read it until January 2nd of course. That’s not the point.
Quite clearly, there’s a slight smugness that goes with this. “I’m at my desk, mostly creating protectable Trade Marks” becomes my standard WhatsApp response from the 27th on. Isn’t that irritating? That’ll send them all scurrying towards their phones to see what needs to be delivered first week Jan.
Above all, however, it’s the freedom that goes with knowing I don’t have to be at work. At any time I could walk away and, well, do some ironing or go to buy some better than half price wrapping paper for next Christmas. That’s actually a freedom that doesn’t occur at any other time of year when you’re self-employed. Sundays and holidays just don’t have that same feel, as there’s no one else to check the emails or respond to new business.
So here it is, Merry Twixtmas. With thanks to the clients, colleagues, partners and friends that havn’t cared when or how I did the work this year, just that it got done and merrily.
