Our columnist fondly recalls her childhood Christmases – apart from the time the milk ran out!

HELLO, little one!” Penny Dauntless greeted a robin-redbreast, who cocked his head as she pushed along her trolley of post on the daily round. “How often is there such a perfect mid-December morning?”

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Betty Middleton had only moved in two weeks earlier, but already she was starting to annoy me with her frequent knocks at my back door. “Would you like a slice of my lemon drizzle? It’s home-made!” No

Our pick of your best letters and some wise words from our favourite stars…

D inah was not a Christmas cook. Her ...