So let’s kick off Day Four of 12 Days of Christmas with I'm NOT Disordered with the answers of Chief Officer Dale Checksfield from Durham Special Constabulary
1. When do you start getting excited for
Christmas Day?
Normally on Christmas Eve, but
coming from a family with German heritage we celebrate St Nicklaus Day on the
6th December with a tradition that sees the children place one of their boots
outside the door, if they have been good they get sweets, if not they have a
few weeks to behave before Santa arrives.
2. Do you still have an advent calendar? If
yes, which do you have and if no, when did you stop having them?
I still have an Advent Calender,
although I regularly find my children has assisted me in ensuring its kept up
to date.
3. What are favourite Christmas movies?
I’m not a big movie fan but I do
enjoy watching Home Alone, the slapstick humour provides an opportunity for a
laugh.
4. Do you have any funny Christmas
stories/memories?
One Christmas, many years ago, I
received a pair of roller blades for my Christmas. They were awesome – shiny, with chunky
buckles and lightning fast wheels. The
first few rides resulted with my spending most of my time on my bum, within a
few days I was rocketing around – right up to the point of hitting a small
pothole in the path, smashing my kneecap – a trip to A&E later and I never
roller bladed again.
5. What's your typical Christmas Day?
I work rotationally so I’m not
always home at Christmas, like this year where I am working away for the most
of December. When I am home we have a typical Christmas Day with an early call
from our eldest daughter, presents, breakfast and family focussed fun. Again,
with the German heritage we begin celebrations on Christmas Eve with the
opening of a single present, a family meal and Christmas pyjamas!
6. What do you eat for you Christmas dinner?
And what is your favourite part of it?
A traditional Christmas dinner
with Turkey is usually on the menu. I’m
a big fan of stuffing – It’s a family joke that I can eat a whole packet of
stuffing to myself – and its probably true!
7. Do you have any Christmas traditions?
Nicklaus, Christmas Eve pyjamas
and each year we buy a glass bauble for the family tree – although they haven’t
been on display for the last 2 years – toddlers and glass baubles don’t go well
together!
8. What are your favourite Christmas songs?
Silent Night has to be my
personal favourite – both the English and German versions.
9. What has been your favourite Christmas
present?
Wow, that’s a tough question –
I’ve had some incredibly thoughtful gifts from my family – my wife particularly
is good at knowing things that mean much to me. This year she got me a framed
set of handmade models of my family which reflects the things important to each
of us – I’m in my Police Uniform, My wife in her business uniform, my eldest
daughter in her diving kit and our youngest in her favourite dress. Its
something simple that symoblises so much.
10. Do you prefer a real or fake Christmas
tree?
I like the idea of a real
Christmas tree but not the reality so its fake for us. We are currently using a lightweight pop up
tree that’s safe for our toddler.
11. This year, do you think you'd be on the naughty
or nice list?
That’s a matter of
perspective. Some may feel I should be
on the nice list, others on the naughty. I try to live my life on the nice
side, doing things for others so let’s wait and see!
12. Do you prefer giving or receiving presents?
I prefer giving, particularly to
children. I feel Christmas is for the kids.
13. Where would be your dream place to spend
Christmas?
Having spent many years of my
life working away at sea, I’ve spent Christmas in the Caribbean, South
Atlantic, Scotland, England and Northern Norway, each of them has been
enjoyable in one way or another. These days my dream place to spend Christmas
is in the same place that my family are. Christmas this year will be done by
video calling!
14. Are you good at wrapping presents?
If they are square or rectangular
I’m your man for wrapping presents – if they deviate from a purely straight
form then I’m going to need some help!
15. What time do you usually get up on
Christmas morning? Is this different from when you were little?
Whenever the children wake me up. I tend to be an early riser anyway and last
year I was the first awake in the house having been on nightshift baby feeding
duty!
16. How old were you when you found out that
Santa wasn't real? And how did you find out?
I honestly don’t recall, however
this year is the first that my eldest knows the sad truth! She is excited to be
able to carry on the magic for her little sister.
17. What is your dream Christmas present?
I’m fortunate in that I don’t
want for much – I’m at the stage in my life where my family means more to me
than material things. It would probably have to be a winter holiday to see the
Northern Lights in the hotel in Scandinavia that has glass roofed sleeping pods
– with my family of course.
18. Have you asked for anything this year? If
yes, what?
I haven’t asked for anything this
year, I got some thoughtful presents from my family which I’m delighted with
(we did Christmas early before I headed away with work) – and I have a couple
left to open on Christmas day.
19. If you could spend Christmas with anyone -
living or dead, celebrity or someone you know - who would it be?
My grandfather was my guide in
life, my best friend, my counsellor, my teacher and at times my lecturer – and
not in an education sense! My Grandmother equally so – losing them has been a
big dent in my life. If I could spend
Christmas with anyone it would be them, I’d literally sell my house to have that
chance.