The Christmas you'll remember

The moment you see Christmas through your child’s eyes, everything changes. Here’s how I’m trying to make this one unforgettable for Leo.

Dear Leo,

It’s 05:21am on the 8th of December - just seventeen more sleeps until Christmas.

Another slightly broken night for me. You appeared at the side of my bed around 11pm, no words were exchanged, at this point, I’m a straight fold. I give you a cuddle, a kiss, tuck you under the covers on my side of the bed, and make my way to the spare room.

This time of year always brings something up in me. When I look back on my own childhood Decembers, it’s like opening a door into pure magic. You know the ‘Clausometer’ from the movie ‘Elf’, the thing that measures Christmas spirit? If that had been in our house, it would’ve been permanently topping out. Carols playing, decorations glowing, Grandad in his thick navy Christmas cardigan with a whisky in hand, Grandma with her reindeer antlers on, Uncle Adam in his comically HUGE elf slippers, and Uncle Gareth lining up film after film… and of course, World’s Strongest Man. A tradition I hope becomes ours. Maybe even starting this year.

You’re four now, almost five, as you remind me often. And there’s something about this Christmas that feels significant. Like it might be the first one that roots itself in your memory.

Your mum and I can already see it in you - the belief, the excitement, the way your imagination is beginning to stitch everything together.