Clarity Accounting (Scotland) Ltd

Everyone likes a countdown at Christmas.   Whether it is an Advent Calendar or waiting to see who the Christmas number one is (my favourite is East 17). or even watching those rubbishy Channel 5 programmes – like the 100 greatest Christmas toys…. etc   So here is, I know you have been waiting on it, my top 5 Christmas chocolates in ascending order. It is basically food reviews, without in the inappropriate comments – so middle classed women, of a certain age – feel free to read on.   Number 5 and the worst – Selection Boxes These used to be the staple present for children. The ideal stocking filler. But how things have changed, I don’t know if it is just me – but they seem to get smaller and smaller each year (and the price gets higher). Last year I swear, I had a Dairy Milk, that was so small it wasn’t visible to the naked eye. Also, you have to “swap” the bars you don’t like – is one Twix worth 2 Snickers?   Number 4 Ferrero Rocher – “You’re spoiling us, Mr Ambassador!”. Pure elegance the advert would have us believe – with their gold wrappers and hard plastic tubs. Has anyone ever attempted to build a pyramid of Ferrero Rocher? More difficult than it looks, and you have to use Sellotape left over from wrapping Christmas presents.   Number 3 Matchmakers. Q. What is sticky and chocolately? A. A Chocolate stick. In at number 3, as they come in the classic Christmas flavours – orange and mint (and I now understand salted caramel). A chocolate, that you eat at no other time of the year. If you do, you are weird.   Number 2 Celebration/Heroes - I am not sure of the difference between the two, but a firm favourite, which comes in the ubiquitous round plastic tubs. £ per lb of chocolate, probably the best value especially if you can get a deal. The chocolates are individually wrapped, so perfect for sharing. These tubs appear in office reception areas and shop counters – the length and breadth of Britain. However, how many is socially acceptable to eat? One doesn’t seem enough and 10 seems too greedy (and gets you strange looks from the office receptionist).    Number 1 Terry’s Chocolate Orange. The King of Kings (Joy to The World) of Christmas chocolates. Eating them is pure heaven and my personal favourite – I get one every year for Christmas and I get very grumpy if I have to share. The only downside is getting that first scliff (or segment) out. I nearly killed myself attempting it with a sharp knife one year. But the joy of eating piece by piece to finally get the core (the best it) – chocolate perfection!    What is your favourite Christmas chocolate - what have I missed from the list?

Do you ever take time just to “stop and smell the roses”? I did this week. Myself, and Katie Gilmour were lucky enough to be able to attend our daughter Niamh Gilmour’s graduation ceremony at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. It was a real proud parent moment, and we were determined to savour the day. It was an early start – leaving the house at 7.30am so Niamh could pick up her gown, with me spending the whole journey, trying to convince her, she wasn’t going to trip in her high heels and fall flat on her face on the stage (thankfully she didn’t - as she has inherited my clumsiness). We were seated in plenty of time and enjoyed watching all the students, dressed in their finery, and looking at all the beaming, proud parents – cameras at the ready, to capture the big moment. In one of the speeches, one person said “you will remember you child taking their first step, now you can remember as they step across the stage to collect their diploma. The time in between these two events may have seemed to flash by in an instant, so enjoy the moment”. So, we took our time. We posed for photos, outside the Concert Hall, with kind strangers offering to take pictures of us. We walked slowly down Buchanan Street, with Niamh’s gown and red hair flowing in the wind. I was carrying the high heel shoes at this point, with Niamh in her stocking feet. Then meeting with the extended family, for a bottle of champagne and a long boozy lunch. A particularly touching moment, when Niamh stated that she wished that her gran (my mum) was there, as she was the person who inspired her to be a nurse. I think at that point, someone was cutting onions nearby, as I rarely cry. The “oldies” then left so the “young team” could continue partying into the night. We had, had our perfect day – we had smelled the roses and now only had our severe hangovers to look forward to. But it was worth it – every single minute.