Santa in our Street

The Rotary Club Father Christmas has been a regular Christmas feature in my life ever since I can remember.

Being woken up and carried downstairs to stand in our doorway and see his sleigh in the street is one of my earliest memories. I was so sleepy it really felt like magic, and like a dream when I woke up in the morning!

I was so thrilled when they came down our road, the first Christmas we lived here. I did exactly the same thing to Betsy; I got her out of bed, she was not yet two, and held her on my hip as Father Christmas waved and his helpers went by with their collection buckets. My nostalgia knew no bounds when they gave her a chocolate spanner, just like I had all through my childhood!

Sadly they no longer have those, tonight Al got a Celebration Snickers. Betsy missed it because she was at football. When I told her she said, 'I know, Dad told me'. She paused, shot me a look under her eyelashes, and said, 'I'm devastated'. Sarky little minx!

Went Christmas shopping with my brother today. It was very busy, but we had a lovely day. Think I might have done most of it except the hardest part - Chris.

Didn't suffer as much as I might've for all the mulled wine I sank last night. I couldn't sleep though, and felt really tired today.