This morning I was rooting around in the back of the wardrobe, looking for decorations, and I started thinking about all the Christmases we've celebrated as a family. There are many more to come, of course, but here are some of the ones that stick out:
1. The Christmas I was 10 and my entire family (Mum, Dad, sister) were sick with the 'flu. I was forced to go to the puritans down the road for Christmas dinner. NO TV all day and they gave me goose. Bleugh.
2. The year my sister and I were both pregnant. We sat on the sofa with our enormous bumps, eating chocolates while The Men waited on us hand and foot. Two days later my sister went into labour.
3. The Christmas we gave our son – then four – his first bike. I'll never forget his little face when he saw it – he actually clapped his hands, he was so excited. Totally magic.
4. The year we went to Cologne. We had a lovely time at the markets and chocolate museum but it was the year the really heavy fog fell across Europe and all flights back to the UK were cancelled. Our only option was to take the train. 12 hours later, £500 poorer and having taken a very exciting train ride across Germany, France and I think Luxembourg we finally made it home. Just in time.
What are your memorable Christmas moments? I'd love to know.
written by Liz Jarvis