Father Christmas

Caitlin is getting hugely excited about Christmas. Last week, we wrote to Father Christmas. Well, she drew him a picture and then dictated the letter to me. It went something like this:

We then put the letter on our gas fire (I regretted this moment of enthusiasm when I saw the ashes!). Caitlin is not normally allowed anywhere near the fire so this was Very Exciting.

The normally blue flames glowed orange as the letter burned and I told her that was because the magic was working. She was so excited that she giggled uncontrollably and has talked of nothing else since. She told all the toys in her cot (many times). She told everyone at nursery. She told Nana, G'andad, the lady in the fish shop and random people in the supermarket.

A few days later, I took Caitlin "Christmas shopping" for presents she could give people. I'd prepared her for this beforehand by asking (perhaps hopefully), "Who would YOU like to give presents to?"

"Um, I don't know!" Caitlin was slightly mystified.

"Well, Christmas is a time when you get presents for people you love," I explained, "I'm getting presents for you and Daddy and my friends".

Caitlin thought for a moment, "I want to get a present for Jane [the ragdoll] and Teddy" she said.

"That's nice, darling!" I trilled, "We can do that. But I was thinking about real people. What about Fabi?" [Fabi is her Best Friend from nursery]

Her eyes lit up.

"Yes, Fabi. And Thomas"

"Good, now you're getting the idea! Fabi and Thomas, then!"

"And Ellianna. And Amelia."

"Excellent, ok, Fabi, Thomas, Ellianna and Amelia."

"And Caris. And Poppy. And Georgie. And Fraser. And Sky. And Archie."

"Right," says Mummy, starting to feel this has all gone a little out of control and wondering how we are going to get presents for the entire nursery.

Inspiration struck and I took her to the little chocolate shop in Hythe where they were doing small chocolate Penguins and Teddy Bears for 35p each (meaning we could buy presents for unlimited numbers of small children without having to re mortgage).

Caitlin enjoyed choosing presents and came up with even MORE names of lucky recipients whilst we were in the chocolate shop. It was only afterwards, as we headed out into the winter sunshine, that I saw the penny drop. None were for her.

"Caitlin, you look sad," I said, "What's the matter?"

Her lower lip trembled slightly.

"I don't want an aquadraw from Father Christmas anymore," she said.

"No?"

"No, I want chocolates instead. Like these Penguin chocolates!"

I managed not to smile.

"Sweetie, I think Father Christmas will take it as read that you'd like some chocolates. You don't need to tell him in the letter. He knows all boys and girls like things like that!"

This cheered her up greatly.