When you were six

Christmas was a barbie doll and clothes for her to wear

She would go on to join the doll family and have adventures

When you were sixteen

The clothes were for you

And adventures were only in your dreams

When you were twenty-six

Christmas was a minefield of family drama

While you searched for a Christmas than only happened in movies

When you were thirty-six

Nothing had changed

When you were forty-six

Christmas was trying to let go

Of expectations that would never be realised

Understanding that family would always disappoint

And now, finally, you get it

Finally, you understand

Christmas is love and friendship

Shared with the family who love you

And for the rest

Christmas is love, and love is letting them go.