The night before Christmas

Today has been a frenzy of wrapping and preparation, clearly all at the last minute. 

The wrapping was apparently so successful, I was given some extra's to do by my mother in law, it was lovely, calming morning spent wrapping gifts, chatting to Dirk and playing with Alex as he investigated any scraps of paper.  He has a mountain of gifts waiting for him, however instinct tells me the most delightful will be the wrapping paper. 

Christmas stockings are up and ready for the morning.  We've both promised that next year's will be a whole lot better as this years can only be described as a damp squib - we couldn't find much in the shops to buy.  Very sad, as the Christmas stocking is my favourite part of Christmas. 

This evening was the first of the neighbourly entertaining, a 'bring and share' at the next door farm.  Tomorrow is Christmas dinner at the other neighbouring farm.  

We're still struggling to feel Christmassy in the warm weather, but wrapping presents and getting the Christmas stockings out has certainly helped.