Santa visited our house for quite a few years when we were children. Off down the stairs, we would propel ourselves, at some unearthly hour on Christmas Morning, each encouraging the other to open the “magic” sitting-room door,  just to see if  “HE HAD BEEN”.  And, of course,  he always had! The squeals of delight from us may have woken up our neighbours, but, as kids, we did not care!

Scalextric cars and tracks,  sewing boxes, bead kits, jewellery  boxes, Etchasketch, Spyrograph, watches  books, pens, pencils, and outfits for Barbie, (I didn’t want Sindy stuff, Dad brought Barbie back from the U.S!)  that was  all we wanted.  But Santa was always full of surprises and usually left a few extra presents too.

As for our festive dinner, well, that was started very early on Christmas Day.  Mam had it all under control, and, with precision timing, the meal would be presented as darkness decended outside.  

Our own fireplace has played host to Santa for quite a long time now too.  Babs turned out just like me, and tried her best to get up at the very same unearthly hour as I used to do, just to check if the Big Man had visited.  But she as she is an adult now, Santa still manages to wave at us, as he passes our house, on his merry way to visit the little ones around and about. We always wave back, as he flies by, on his very busiest of nights!

So, wherever you are, and whoever you are spending Christmas and the Holidays with, I wish you all the very best of times, and don’t forget to put out a mince pie and glass of milk for Santa, and a carrot or two, for Rudolf, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Donner, and Blitzen……!  You just never know!