It's a good life
The Good Store owner Marshall Martin explains the tricks to a stress-free Christmas.
THE DECORATIONS: I'm at the shop seven days a week and when I'm not at the shop I'm lying on the couch staring at the ceiling thinking festive thoughts! There is no gas left in the tank for decorations.
THE THEME: See above.
THE TREE: See decoration and theme reference!
THE MENU: We have a hot lunch at my sister's house.
Her husband is a traditional sort of guy so she goes all out with everything from the stuffing to the three different types of gravy she makes.
My contribution is zero - I just turn up and say nice things about the food.
My wife gives my mum a bottle of rum every year which she recycles into the Christmas cake - which we then eat.
I'm not really a dessert type of guy but I wouldn't dare deprive my mum of making her pavlova; tactical eating requires room left for the pavlova.
TRADITIONS: Eating too much! The sheer quantity of it all flabbergasts occasional visitors to the Martin family feast.
THE GIFTS: We give good loot! My sister's husband is bewildered by the gifts we give.
I once gave him an oak shoe cleaning set with all the brushes and he loved it. I also got him a pen on a belt and being a surveyor he never takes it off.
My sister gives brilliant gifts too; she once gave me French truffles fresh off the plane!
We always look to buy something the person would use and love.
