Simple things which help make Christmas special
SPARE a thought for Santa.
While many will be out enjoying themselves tonight, or perhaps having a discreet sherry or bottle of Prosecco in front of the TV, the old gent in the red coat and white beard will be starting his rounds.
It has been estimated he will have to travel 510 million kilometres, plus detours up cul-de-sacs and to out of the way places, to deliver presents to more than 500 million children.
That’s 22 million an hour in a sleigh pulled
Tby six flying reindeer.
He will, of course, be aided by different time zones but he has to do it in the dark, as well as consume all those mince pies and tots of whisky well-meaning children leave for him.
Just a thought, but perhaps some could vary the fare with an Alka Seltzer and a glass of water?
Scientists, with nothing better to do, are ready to provide the statistics of the impossibility of
Santa’s task but they always omit the one crucial element of his trip and the season: It’s magic. HE presents have been bought and stored in safe places where nosy children cannot find them.
Tonight parents everywhere will be helping Santa by parcelling them up in acres of festive wrapping paper and putting them under the tree.
Today will be for last-minute shopping, usually by boyfriends with brains fuddled by a lunchtime drink with chums, which is why they could easily stump up £50 for a bottle of Joy by Dior or a Huddersfield Town baseball cap for the lady in their life.
“Well, if you don’t like it, I’ll wear it.”
Girls usually know their man and that his heart is in the right place, even if he did leave his common sense in his other suit.
Besides, they’ll find a way for him to make up for any disappointment.
Ready or not, Christmas is here. And everything will be all right, even if you burn the turkey.
A survey by high street toy retailer The Entertainer says worries by parents that their children will be unfounded.
They know because they asked the kids themselves.
Sixty per cent of children said they would be happy to receive just a few of the items on their Christ- mas list and only 9% said they would want more presents than they received.
And their top magic moments of the season show they are very much family orientated rather than motivated by greed.
Top of their list is putting up the Christmas tree, followed, inevitably, by receiving presents and playing with new toys.
They also enjoyed the anticipa- tion of opening advent calenders and look forward to spending time with friends and family.
Happiness is helped by watching Christmas films, giving presents, having time off school, making Christmas decorations, putting out treats for Santa and his reindeer, eating Christmas food and ... the magic of Father Christmas.
Oh to be a child again.
Merry Christmas everyone.