When you grow up with brothers who called for years from   Shoppers Drug Mart on Christmas Eve at 6:15 at night  screaming “Is your skin oily or dry ?” because they had left all the  gift shopping until the very last minute- the slow trickle of lovely things that were well thought through, can feel really wonderful.

Just now there was a knock at the door – and all I could see above the window was a panda bear head , and a bunny rabbit head (you know the hats) and a long shoot of amaryllis and with it a promise of colour in January.

Hand made cards, a visit from two of my favourite little artists and a favourite winter flower. Hand delivered with pudgy hands and half toothed smiles.

So this is Christmas.

how to keep the magic in Christmas as long as you can- start by always having an answer-click here