Scottish Christmas Greetings

When I was young, we did not really do Christmas in Scotland. Many people still worked at least the morning of the day itself. It was only as the 1960’s drew to an end that they started to take the whole day off.

I was a paper boy in the 1960’s. English papers were not published but all the Scots ones were. Sunday Christmas, in particular, was a total pain as every single household on my route took the ‘Sunday Post’ (ask Ferret about said paper) so the bag was twice as heavy. On the other hand, the tips were more generous as a result.

My upbringing means that I tend to not do the Christmas greeting thing and to go strong on the New Year wishes, which, for the avoidance of doubt, you will not get from me until you are actually in said New Year in your time zone.

Two reasons for wishing you all a Merry Christmas this year. Firstly, Dougal who arrived with us last Saturday. I just could not wait any longer to introduce him to you.

Secondly, a major thank you to Ferret. I made the enjoyable effort to meet him last month because I reckoned that Mrs M needed a quality desk set. He has not disappointed and is a superb craftsman, in my opinion.

The wood is Bethlehem olive wood, as agreed. Thirty years ago, Mrs M and I spent Christmas and the New Year in Israel and one day in Bethlehem. She was singing and I was hanging-on. Not being religious, our souvenir of the day was the little vase in the picture. I know that she will get the reference.

Best wishes to all of my fellow Cherished Authors and thanks to Boadicea, Bearsy and Soutie for all their efforts.

17 thoughts on “Scottish Christmas Greetings”

  1. In France too New Year greetings can be offered throughout January the first time you meet someone after 1st January. Though of course the more agreeable festivity is the “fête des Rois” or Epiphany. Although the celebration on the actual day is really for children, groups and clubs frequently have a little cake and bubbly at their first meeting in January.

    I do like the look of Dougal. Is he a rescue dog too? I wish all three of you happy times together in Auld Reekie. (I’m sure Morningside didn’t exist when that name was first coined.)

  2. Hi Sheona

    Typically bloody wimpish French, in my opinion. Only January?

    As JW would tell you, if he were here and mumping as usual, I will be wishing my friends a Good New Year on first chancing across them throughout the whole of 2012. It’s what my generation do.

    Got my last ‘ Good New Year’ of 2011 less than two weeks ago. I still think he was wrong and that we had already done it but I’m not going to call him a liar.

    For the avoidance of doubt, Dougal is a pedigree hound, aka Craigdean Danny Boy. Being a toff, he’s chewing the back off a shoe of one of the lower orders (me!) as I type.

    It’s all right. I know my place.

  6. JM, I may have missed this earlier, but are you a Mackie as in ‘och aye’ or a Mackie as in Dougal’s lacky? Oh, and seasonal greetings too! Glædelig jul!

  7. Talking about pronunciation, I take it that the dog is Doo (as in doggie doo) -gal (as in yank for girl).

    Merry Christmas.

    https://i0.wp.com/planetsmilies.net/xmas-smiley-4606.gif

  10. Dougal looks both handsome and adorable, his black silky coat set off with smoky grey accents.. What a lovely addition to your household. Wishing you a smashing Christmas JM.

    PS And what a superb set of tools Ferret has created to go with the tiny vase. Excellent present.

  12. Janus, normally the “och aye” pronounciation is for the name Mackay, like the late actor Fulton Mackay.

  13. sheona :

    Janus, normally the “och aye” pronounciation is for the name Mackay, like the late actor Fulton Mackay.

    Thanks, Sheona. Just wondered.

  14. Jay Em,

    I remember the Sunday Post very well. Where else might a young geordie get his weekly fix of The Broons and Oor Wullie? When I was on the rounds it was the Sunday Times which gave me the most backache. 🙂

    So glad you like your order, but I have to say aren’t you letting the moggie out of the bag just a little previous? Santa ain’t been yet.

    Had I known about Dougal, I would have declined your order. Who could compete with something so perfect as that pooch.

    Merry Xmas friend and the Happiest Hogmanay ever known to you and yours.

  15. Dougal is beautiful, John! My friend in WA owned a spaniel of similar colouring, called George; a lovely, sweet-tempered dog.

    It goes without saying that I admire Mrs Mackie’s present; the Furry One is a very talented mustelid.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours and Happy Walkies!

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