I hope you had a great Christmas. I know I did. Each year it seems to get better and better. I was very pleased with how well our Christmas Package Operation went given the current economic challenges. We ended up with a delightful number of guests with 100% satisfaction rate. It was a very pleasant Christmas for me. It took us about 3 weeks with the build up to Christmas to prepare The Abbey for the festive activities it was about to hold. Malvern is no North Pole, but we can always hope for a White Christmas, to make the atmosphere that little bit more Christmassy! (Better late than never!) The staff were all working like elves to prepare for Christmas and the chefs were kind enough to prepare a celebratory Christmas Dinner for all our hard work in preparing for the big day. After Christmas Lunch the guests took a 4 hour nap, but there was no rest for the elf like staff, who to their credit carried on working, preparing food, entertaining those guests that had opted out of their nap taking, serving sherry and mince pies. Throughout the afternoon, guests were waking; sharing tales of their gifts from Santa, sipping tea and desperately awaiting to see what entertainment The Abbey were putting on for them next. They thoroughly enjoyed the Christmas Quiz, hosted by me, and the Race night that Sarah and Marco had put on for them. I think they were relieved when a nice Christmassy, feel good film was put on the big screen for them, and enjoyed the relaxing atmosphere and were delighted with the choice they had voted for – Casablanca!!! Late into the evening I sat for hours with the guests drinking coffee, sharing memories, and making new friends. I hope all of you had a chance to connect with friends and family the way we were able to that night.After everyone left and the Abbey Elves were still hard at work preparing for the next day, replenishing coffee stations and ensuring the hotel bar, lounge and dining area were clean and welcoming for the next day. At around 1:00am we turned all the lights off except the Christmas tree lights and the lights in the garland that draped all the windows and retired to our own beds but not before soaking in every last precious moment of Christmas. I didn't think about old memories or make plans for the future... I was just truly in the moment. I don't know about you but it’s rare I do that. I am always thinking about what's next... two, three, four moves down the road. I don't think much about the past other than to consider what I can learn from it but thinking about "what's next" often keeps me out of the moment. So Christmas night was special. It is something I need to apply more often. If you haven't taken time to just sit and enjoy a quiet, still moment during this very special... even magical... time of year, I encourage you to do so when the time comes around again. You will be amazed at the pure joy it provides.Merry Christmas to all and to all a very blessed night!
Written by Reception at The Abbey
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