Party party!

It’s the time of year when friends get together and have a little Christmas celebration before the actual event, and last night it was my reading group to enjoy a small party, the last of the year. It was my turn to host and it was a good excuse to tidy up a bit… I think I’ve mentioned often enough how allergic to housework I am, and how our boggart does his best but just causes more muddle and confusion. I think it’s pretty obvious about what preparing for the party involved.  I hit on a solution – take everything not needed or not put away (or both) upstairs and fill the spare room. Clearing away so much did then expose the dust and cobwebs, and I tried my best with those. However, I think the boggart thought I must love cobwebs and was collecting them in my cloth, because he followed behind, sprinkling decorative webs and dust in unexpected places.

Then there was the enjoyable preparation – the others were very kindly bringing festive dishes, but I prepared some snacks and nibblies. I laid the table, organised glasses and drinks, wrote the traditional quiz, and got ready to receive my lovely guests. They arrived garlanded with glitter, with crazy Christmas glasses and festive jumpers, a pair of sparkly reindeer antlers, much cheer and dishes piled with seasonal  fare and treats. We laughed, we talked, we told funny stories, we caught up with each other’s news, as ever thoroughly enjoying each the company! We considered a list of books found in Kit de Waal’s book “Without Warning and Only Sometimes” and decided we would read the marvellous “Riddle of the Sands” by Erskine Childers to discuss at our next get-together January.

Before the witching hour, or before their transport turned into a pumpkin, my guests departed, and it was only as I had a last glass of wine I remembered I had forgotten the quiz! In case you fancy puzzling away, here it is:

CHRISTMAS QUIZ FOR READERS 2023

Round 1: the answers all have a Christmas connection:

1. People who share the same Christmassy first name: actress Gordon, actor and playwright Coward, actor and singer Harrison
2. More people who share the same seasonal first name: film and novel character Martins (‘The Third Man’); film character Golightly (‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’); surname of a 1950’s rock and roll legend Buddy
3. First name of novelist, Ms Compton Burnett
4. First Name of a Buddhist Judge Humphreys QC
5. First name of Nazi Hess, romantic actor Valentino, and Russian dancer Nureyev
6. TV detective series starring Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane
7. English novelist, Mrs Sebag Montefiore 

Round 2: these people were all born on Christmas Day,  December 25th

1. An apple fell on his head and he made a great discovery
2. Her brother was a famous poet inspired by the Lake District who had a cottage in Nether Stowey Somerset
3. He was married to Lauren Bacall
4. The naked civil servant
5. Irish singer, who sadly died recently, best known for his fairy tale
6. Prime Minister of Canada

Round 3: general knowledge Christmas questions:

1. How many ghosts show up in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol?
2. How many gifts were given in total in ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ song?
3. Which country started the tradition of putting up a Christmas tree?
4. How many of Rudolph’s fellow reindeer’s names start with ‘D’?
5. What is traditionally hidden inside a Christmas pudding?
6. Which city has been donating Trafalgar Square’s Christmas tree to London every year since 1947?
7. If you’re born on Christmas day, what’s your star sign?
8. What is the best-selling Christmas single of all time?
9. What time is the King’s speech traditionally broadcast on Christmas Day?
10. What colour are mistletoe berries?

Answers tomorrow!