The Christmas suit

If I was to tell you that I - as a grown man who does not make a seasonal income from bouncing small children on my knee and handing out presents - was the unabashed owner of a Father Christmas suit, you would almost certainly look at me askance and possibly even raise an eyebrow in anticipation of finding some reason to excuse yourself from my company.

Well, you can relax (and come back!), for I don't. However...

A few years ago I bought this moleskin beauty of festive hue, which I dust down every December and wear whenever the opportunity presents itself during that month. It consists of a jacket and trousers, and is worn with a pair of brown shoes. There are no boots, no large belt with ostentatious buckle, or, for better or worse, fake beard.

Tonight was our office party. Not to be confused with our Christmas lunch, this event is for partners, clients, business associates and also people we like who don't fit into any of the prior categories. And much as I hate 'networking' the skills our guests use in their business lives - usually over a shallow cup of warm, instant coffee - come into their own in this situation, so no one was stood on their own and party was rather joyous. And so it should be at this time of year. Ho ho ho!