Day Eighty Four - Part One

Dugal

Well there was no early bedtimes for us last night.

We always go to bed early Christmas Eve lest we disturb Saint Nicholas on his appointed rounds.

But the soirée went well past our usual bedtime.

So we had no polite choice but to mingle.

Especially since the Pavlova and Baklava did not appear until nearly ten o’clock. 

So we managed to stay both awake and engaging. Which is an under appreciated skill if you ask me.

Then after the multitude left, the presents needed to be placed around the Christmas tree.

Until the floor all but disappeared.

And then Craig had to read The Night Before Christmas to Emmet and Niamh, as he has since the beginning of the family.

While we helped tidy the kitchen Emmet watched out the windows for any sight of the sleigh. 

Then it was off to sugar plums land for all of us. 

The morning came sooner than expected, considering.

But soon Craig joined the rest of the family for the grand opening of the presents.

And Zita brought in croissants and beverages for all.

It is extremely unwise to open presents on an empty stomach you know. 

In a surprising modification to tradition, this year Niamh was in charge of the handing out of the presents. 

Craig relinquished his role with some relief.

Even I, a long time veteran of family Christmases, felt that this year’s collection of presents was quite astonishingly brilliant.

Niamh found a staggeringly expensive scarf in a thrift shop for less than 5£. 

It was in silk and cashmere by Mister Vuitton. Now that was a find.

Niamh even took it to a very expensive store to make sure it was real. And it was. 

Emmet found Niamh the cosiest jacket ever made. From Cork. 

And it was in plaid. Now that is a great Christmas present, let me tell you.

It took up nearly all his backpack on his way home. 

Zita found Emmet a beautiful three quarter length coat of felted cotton. 

It had been made in Italy twenty years ago. 

Emmet looked as if they were on their way to a Covent Gardens concert. 

Or a duel. 

Craig got some brand new books and brand new T-shirts and a comfy warm fuzzy shirt. 

And it was in the Black Watch plaid. 

I was ecstatic. It was my old regiment as you must remember. 

And he got gloves. A pair of electric gloves from Emmet. Plug in gloves. What will they think of next. 

And some find you in a snowbank gloves from Zita. 

9

Emmet found Zita the exact replacement for a mixing bowl he broke twenty years ago. Well done Emmet.

Then it became our turn in the event, as it was then the presents from Miss Poppy were distributed.

In accordance with our duties as executors of her last will and testament we followed instructions to the letter and got her listed presents. 

Zita got a sturdy digging trowel to help her in the garden, since Poppy will no longer be her loyal hole digging associate. 

Niamh got her very own Highland Cow to mind, as you need a cow to mind if you are an honourary Bouvier . 

Emmet got a not so very dangerous Druid,

Poppy wanted us to make sure it was not one of the perhaps dangerous Druids. 

And finally, Craig got someone older than himself to talk to now that his Miss Poppy is not always available to listen.

We were so very very happy to have competently succeeded in our task. 

It had weighed heavily on all three of us, let me tell you. 

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