For the last few years, I’ve worked on Christmas Day, playing background music at fancy hotels over in Edinburgh.
It’s something I never thought I’d do - it was never something that came up when I was working down south, but a shout went out one year for an extra person and I didn’t really have anything else doing so I said yes. My friends and family are quite far-flung so I usually catch up with them a couple of days later instead.
The money always gets earmarked for something extra lovely, I don’t mind the drive over and while I’ve spent a few very happy Christmases on my own with my feet up, there’s something really nice about going out and then coming home, shutting the door and collapsing in an exhausted heap in front of the telly with a glass of something nice.
It used to involve a warm snuggle from a greyhound as well - this is only my second Christmas without them and that side of things will be a struggle again.
Rudolph keeping a space for me
The last few years I’ve been at the Balmoral hotel which goes all out with the decorations. There are sometimes three of us working there on Christmas Day, and it’s always lovely to catch up with resident harpist Iain for a chat and a big hug. Every year we promise we’ll have a tired harpists’ Christmas night out but we’ve never quite made it. Iain does two shifts on Christmas Day most years and I’m in awe of his stamina - I think even I’d get tired of Christmas music after six hours plus!
The year of the tinkly clock and the festive essential oils - both were quite overpowering at times but certainly Christmassy!
Music-wise, each year I wish I’ve got my Christmas rep out a bit earlier, and I try to add something new.
Last year was a first as I played Happy Birthday as my first piece for a little girl - the restaurant team had seated her family next to the harp so that before any Christmas celebrations began for her family, they marked her birthday first.
Resident harpist Iain next to the hardest working harp in Scotland - the Balmoral has its own harp and it’s played for at least five hours every day. A rota is in place and as it’s right next to the station, it’s a very handy gig for lots of us.
The first year I played there, I wore a big red flower in my hair. This proved quite important as just as I was heading back through reception on my way home, a lady caught my eye and asked me if I had been playing the harp. She’d recognised the flower and for a moment I was worried she’d complain about the amount of times I’d played Silent Night, but actually she had stopped me to say thank you.
It was her first Christmas without her husband, and her family had made the decision to do something completely different that year. They’d never spent Christmas away from home and she very kindly told me that the harp music had been a really special part of it and she’d always remember it. I’ve never forgotten her - I think of her every year when I play there, and when I start to flag I try to think of all the stories of the people I’m playing for.
You often sit for hours wondering if anyone’s listening - after all people are there to celebrate with family and friends, not really for the music - and it’s always a lovely surprise when someone tells you they’ve heard you and they’ve enjoyed what you played.
It’s a really nice thing to be part of other people’s Christmas in this way and I do enjoy it.
