Nulty's post earlier, when he reflected on how different Christmas is these days compared to his (and my) youth, sent me ambling down memory lane. It seems hard to imagine, in these days of credit, that Christmas for parents involved a lot of hard work, saving and ingenuity to make it a special occasion.

A stocking plus one or two bigger presents was as much as you got. A lot of presents were second-hand, refurbished or hand-made. But because you knew that was your lot until your birthday or the following Christmas (unless you saved up your pocket money), they were looked after and enjoyed time and time again. (Unless it was your gran's hand-knitted cardigan).

I also remember that dad (and everyone in his firm) would get a Christmas Box from his boss. It had a bottle of whisky, a turkey, a ham and a box of chocolates in it. Does this still happen? It sounds quite Dickensian.

Another reminder of how things change - Christmas Day was the only time we used to see a bottle of wine in the house - a celebratory bottle of 'Blue Nun'. Other than that, there was no alcohol, except my dad used to go out every Friday night to the pub with his mates. (Here, Ellie pauses to guiltily eye up rack of wine bottles just delivered by Tesco.)

And because your dad (hardly ever mum) got just the one or two days off work, it had to be family day. A family participative day. Games, more games, tantrums, Monopoly, Musical chairs... No telly ever. I was about 23 before I watched telly on Christmas Day.

And I realise tht I am in danger of sounding like I am 108 years old. But I can't help feeling a bit nostalgic for a time when you had to save up for things and accordingly valued and cared for them. And you didn't take for things for granted. And it wasn't necessary to bankrupt yourself at Christmas to have a good time. And you spent time playing party games with the family instead of watching the Queen's Speech ... or Morecombe and Wise.

Then again ... I'm quite happy with my plans for a quiet, romantic Christmas alone with my loved one and my Dog. Provided they let me watch the telly. And buy me lots of presents. And let me win Musical Chairs.