* Boxing Day
Today is boxing day. Nobody knows what boxing day is except you get a day off for it. Its usually the first morning when the delayed hangover kicks in. This Christmas I had to accompany my partner on her visit to her relatives. She comes from one of those families that has an unwritten, irrevocable covenant that demands all relatives must visit each other at Christmas. I had been warned in advance that I was required to accompany her. One set of grandparents had heard all the criticism about me and hadn't been able to join in so I was bidden to appear before them and for some unknown reason, an uncle had enough clout to summon me as well. They all visit at the same time so running into all the other relatives is pretty much guaranteed.

Off we went to see Grandad and Grandma from the down market side of the family. Gwen (my partner) handed over her two presents (Gandad & Grandma don't do joint presents apparently).
I was introduced but received no acknowledgement. Grandma And Grandad were too busy ripping off the wrapping.
Grandad produced a small penknife and extracted the contents from his box and commenced to scrutinise his gift. Then Grandma handed over her box which Grandad expertly opened while she scrutinised his present. Grandad examined her present with the look of a pawnbroker whose just identified your Rolex as a fake. They then swap presents again and continue to examine them minutely.
Grandad finally raises his head and says, " They're very nice dear, we won't be wanting the receipts for these." (The old b*****d) Big sigh of relief. The room has other trapped relatives sat with cups of tea and slices of Christmas cake. After an interminable period of time we are allowed to leave.
We then have to endure four hours of excrutiating tedium with her Uncle. After that I hasten back home while she has obligatory sleep overs at various relatives houses until Thursday.