Wishing you a very Happy Christmas!

It's the night before Christmas and we are suitably attired in our festive knitwear - a dazzling combination of matching jumpers, scarfs, socks and bobble hats.

I've opted for a brown reindeer jumper design on a luminous orange background. IJ, embarrassed by my refusal to take off my striped bobble hat, has opted for a more toned down version of the same design with a more muted colour scheme.

Not really.

However some of our behaviour genuinely has been totally out of character. We have been engaging in a spot of Christmas crafting. Clearly the sense of occasion has overwhelmed us. Or possibly we are coming down with something. Nevertheless paint has touched paper and glitter has been thrown in for good measure.

IJ has been having some last minute Santa doubts. Apparently most of her friends are under the impression that he isn't real. This of course is absolute nonsense. Have they not watched The Polar Express? Another viewing this evening will help cast those doubts aside.

So we are just about ready. All presents have been wrapped. Extended family are on their way and everything is in perfect running order, although a quite glance at our fireplace reveals that I still haven't changed the clock since the hour changed some months ago. But no matter. Santa will be none the wiser I’m sure.

I’m logging off, not because it’s late or because there’s been a small consumption of Christmas sherry, but because I had hear bells and hooves and if I am very very quiet there seems to be someone on our roof.

So I’m off to unblock the chimney.