‘Tis the Season for… Awkwommodation
One of the most endearing Christmas traditions, in my book, is the invention or repurposing of space for overnight guests. Awkwommodation, if you will.
This universal phenomenon has been a guaranteed source of amusement, frustration and guaranteed discomfort for decades. From antagonistic siblings Russ and Audrey forced to share a bed in 1989’s National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (the best Christmas film ever, this discussion is now closed), to Rhodri Marsden’s brilliant curation of “look where I had to sleep” pics under the hashtag #duvetknowitschristmas.
I remember one Christmas staying in a friend-of-a-friend’s converted castle near Loch Lomond. What could be more beautiful and romantic? What a treat for two newly-weds, travelling on a limited budget. It was an enormous building with multiple grand bedrooms and we imagined a four poster bed with a roaring fire and maybe one of those copper baths with rose petals inexplicably floating around.
Sadly, the reality was a slowly deflating double airbed, on the stone floor of what can only be described as a tower. And, yes, more the “of London” sort of Tower than anything designed to accommodate princesses.
The floorspace was six inches smaller all round than the bed, so it had to be wedged in, making a kind of Pringle shape. As we tried to get comfortable, simultaneously being squashed lengthwise and rolled off sideways, the temperature outside plummeted to minus double digits and and ice formed on the inside of the windows. We did our best to be appreciative - whilst fending off hypothermia and minor injuries from medieval stonework - but reflected long and hard on the pros and cons of having friends with castles as opposed to, say, booking a Premier Inn.
Still - as absolutely nobody ever said - “within the fire of temporary accommodation logistics, are treasured memories forged.”
Which brings us to another fine Christmas tradition; companies finding a way to crowbar a bit of marketing into seasonal topics*. Well, you may have spotted that MODE creates beautiful garden buildings, that can make perfect occasional overnight accommodation.
So, if you found yourself pacing around the kitchen at 3am on Boxing Day, slugging half a bottle of Baileys because the inlaws’ snoring is driving you insane -just imagine how a lovely new garden room could mean THIS NEVER HAS TO HAPPEN AGAIN!
Thinly-veiled sales pitch over, we sincerely hope that you had a comfortable place to sleep this Christmas and, if not, that at least it will make a really good story once the backache and hangover subside!
*Three traditions in total, if you also count marketeers assuming their readers all celebrate Christmas, as opposed to any of the other seasonal celebrations that are available!