Go to Lidl early on Christmas Eve. Smile at the frazzled parent grabbing the last bag of potatoes. Buy the weird sparkly crackers. And when you walk out at 3:45 PM, do it with a sense of triumph and peace.
Because here’s the real gift: knowing that the store closes at 4 PM isn’t just a fact—it’s an invitation. An invitation to stop, to breathe, and to realize that you’ve already got everything you need. The rest is just gravy, and you can always make more gravy. Or, you know, buy it tomorrow at the petrol station.
Now go on—you’ve got a holiday to enjoy. And if you hear a tiny voice asking, “But what time do they open on Boxing Day?”—well, that’s a fun mystery for another day. Happy Christmas, you brilliant, last-minute hero.
