I know it’s only November and I am daring to mention Christmas which really goes against my ‘morals’ ….although I’d be lying if I said I haven’t started buying presents already. Well, my children do all break up from school in less than three weeks time! Gulp! Three weeks!!

Noooo……..I think I am suffering from a case of bah humbug even more than usual. Are there no plans to abolish this celebration yet? For my sanity?

I’d be doing the old man, Father Christmas such a favour- five children!! Can you imagine the strain that puts on his back, not to mention his purse??
I’m sure he’d be eternally grateful.

It’s not as though there will be gifts of diamonds or lime basil and mandarin products from Jo Malone in my stocking this year. If I can miss out on those, surely the children won’t mind me cancelling Christmas this year? What do you think? It will make us all the more appreciative and grateful for what we do have.

Okay, okay, I know I’m being miserable.

I was very kind yesterday and gave the three middle children £10 each to spend at their school’s Christmas fair.
Now this is no ordinary Christmas fair, people travel miles to come and see the spectacular wares on offer. We’re not talking hand knitted gloves ( unless they’re cashmere) or a tombola giving prizes of those free bottles of wine that take-aways give you that no one dares to drink. We are met with handmade silver jewellery, scented candles, prizes of top notch tins of biscuits, original paintings, ‘professionally’ handmade products. Well, this is the country and the fees are rather steep.

All monies raised were to be shared between The Royal Marsden Hospital and the NSPCC Childline.

The fair takes months of planning and the school has a fantastic commitee dedicated to these events.

There was the obligatory Father Christmas which Big C, Little I and Little M visited. Little M was not very impressed at all. Well…..how many little children are not scared of the Big Man? Until they realise that being nice to him reaps the benefit of goodies on Christmas morning.

And the best thing? The children spend their money in the Secrets Room ( a room full of gifts for adults that parents are banned from) buying me presents, they win prizes on the Tombola to wrap up for me, they buy second hand toys for their siblings (we won’t discuss that one) and they buy their grandparents gifts too. The children were laden down with their purchases, I had a delicate little bag with two jars of chutney in- very restrained.
There, Christmas done, plus I know there is going to be something chosen by their little hands for me to unwrap on Christmas day. They may not be diamonds but the thought they will have put in to those presents is tenfold.