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When my kids were growing up there were also a number of other children in our street. Once their own presents were opened on Christmas morning it was part of the fun to visit the other kids and vice versa to see what they had got for Christmas. Not to compare but to share in each other’s enjoyment.

When the big day came we knew that all the preparations, all the pre-Christmas hassle, had been so worthwhile. Nowadays we are very fortunate in that on Christmas Eve we go to my youngest son’s and stay overnight so that we are there on Christmas morning and can share the joy of watching our two young granddaughters open their presents. Children make Christmas.

My offspring are now adults and for the past umpteen years have taken it in turns to host Christmas Day for the family. A few years ago we decided on having a Secret Santa so each of us had only to buy one present. It wasn’t the buying of the presents that was the concern but what to buy. Having S.S. certainly made it easier. The young ones in the next generation of course would still get presents – it really is THEIR special time.

Then we decided to donate to a charity instead of buying the S.S. present. Bought lambs, water purifiers, goats, that sort of thing. Did it for three years but this lead to many repeated requests for donations throughout the year that were accompanied by glossy brochures, etc., which would probably have bought another goat. Put us off doing it.

So now we spend the day together, those of us who can, presents only for the young ones – as one of my daughters said ‘your presence is the best present’. Have a ‘non-traditional’ lunch that starts at 1 p.m. and goes on into the night.

This year will be spent in the beautiful wine district of the Clare Valley at my daughter’s place and we are all staying overnight – so can really relax, partake and enjoy. By the way, she has promised to do a snake reconnoitre before the traditional game of backyard cricket………..