#2,750

A decorated tree, festive fare on the dining table, unwrapping of gifts... there was never any doubt that Christmas Eve would be celebrated by Jessica and her mother in the time-honoured German way. 

For many years I, too, rejoiced in the traditional rituals, especially when it was all en famille with Mickey's parents in the Upper Engadin. 

But these days in Munich I cannot cope with climbing the four flights of stairs to reach the flat where Heilige Abend is duly observed on the 24th of December. The solution nowadays is that I insist that for a Scot it is the 25th that counts. Hence this afternoon Auld Da will welcome the ladies. We may well listen to Her Majesty's broadcast. There will be further gifts to unwrap. And we've all agreed that a feast of Sushi will suit perfectly well.