"Doo doo de da doo doooo"

Christmas is open! We've been to the Weihnachtsmarkt in Manchester and introduced Livvy to Advent Calendar chocolate (verdict: acceptable). So it must be Christmas time. We're probably most excited about it because we think she's going to be relatively tuned into the fact that something lovely is happening. Tick is insisting on teaching her about Father Christmas, whilst I'm content with the rather more pronounceable "Santa". Although she's right of course, we shouldn't encourage ghastly Americanisms. As Granny might very well say ...

The party season is upon us - West Kirby today, the Amaze children's Christmas party next week, Tick and Livvy will be spending a lot of time choosing outfits, one fancies.

For my part, I'm content to settle down somewhere quiet and start drawing up my wine list for the occasion ...