pudding – now we wait till late afternoon, and all have a glass of champagne as we hand them round. Joan and David are unfailingly generous, and we all make a big effort with gifts. One year we were short of cash, so I tried to make sweets for everyone – but the fudge went soggy, and I had to ditch it and buy them all M&S scarves (which they probably preferred). Everyone usually stays till about 9 and we’ll play some games – last year was a fierce competition where we had to make scenes from famous films out of Fuzzy Felt. It was a lot more entertaining than it probably sounds! Later on, we’ll have a pot of tea, the blokes will have a brandy and Joan’s Christmas cake will be served. Some years, friends have joined us later on in the day. One year, Joan and David couldn’t make it and last year, Mimi wasn’t here as she was on a gap year in Australia. But this year, with a bit of luck and a lot of planning, we’ll all be sitting round the table again with paper hats in place. Otherwise, it just wouldn’t feel like a family Christmas.