yes, it was Christmas

My friends were right, and I was wrong.

The day after I went round taking seashells to all of them, it really was Christmas.

So at least they didn’t need another present, because they’d each had a seashell.

It’s years since I was awake for Christmas day. I’m usually in the cupboard.

Luckily I do have some Christmas badges from long ago, so I chose one of them for today.

I don’t know whether Um normally celebrates Christmas, but I thought I should do my best for her and the Baby.

I got out the Christmas tree.

Of course it was all a bit chaotic.

Ruffy phoned to tell me the new rules about the Virus.

That seemed a bit rude to me.

So I quickly threaded a necklace for her.

She put it on, so I think she liked it.

The Baby wasn’t very interested in its present, but it had fun with the wrapping paper.

I wasn’t sure what to do about Christmas dinner.

I’ve heard that some people celebrate by eating a bird. I wouldn’t criticise them. It’s their culture.

My friend Edward is one of those people. This year he’s got a goose.

But I’m vegetarian. And anyway I hadn’t done any shopping.

Someone had given me an enormous tin of rice pudding. I thought at least the Baby wasn’t likely to choke on that.

I found a nice Christmassy tablecloth.

I avoided crackers. I was worried that the bang might frighten Um. Also I didn’t have any.

And I thought it better not to try setting fire to a pudding. I know it’s a risky process, having burnt my paw the last time I tried it.

So we had a simple meal, but it was very nice.

And then we all had a nap.

I think that went off pretty well.

Although we didn’t have any visitors, it turned out to be a more sociable Christmas than I ever had in the old days.

That’s because everyone was sad at not having a big Christmas party, so they all phoned me instead.

So that’s what I did, when they phoned to wish me a merry Christmas.

Gibbs and Points had both chosen secular songs.

Dillion has made amazing progress on the harp that I sent him from Wales.

I’ve thought of a suitable Christmas song to play.

Oh dear, I’m very out of practice. My tone is not as pure and silvery as I’d like.

But I was right. The Baby does like the triangle very much.

Perhaps I’d better try my bagpipes instead.

It’s not very easy to concentrate while I’m being decorated with coloured paper, but at least the Baby doesn’t want to play with the bagpipes.