Merry Christmas!

Christmas time! The man must be a misanthrope indeed, in whose breast something like a jovial feeling is not roused - in whose mind some pleasant associations are not awakened - by the recurrence of Christmas. There are people who will tell you that Christmas is not to them what it used to be: that each succeeding Christmas has found some cherished hope, or happy prospect, of the year before, dimmed or passed away, and that the present only serves to remind them of reduced circumstances and straightened incomes - of the feasts they once bestowed on hollow friends, and the cold looks that meet them now, in adversity and misfortune. Never heed such reminiscences. There are few men who have lived long enough in the world, who cannot call up such thoughts any day in the year. Then do not select the merriest of the three hundred and sixty-five, for your doleful recollections, but draw your chair nearer the blazing fire - fill the glass and send round the song - and if your room be smaller than it was a dozen years ago, or if your glass be filled with reeking punch, instead of sparkling wine, put a good face on the matter, and empty it off-hand, and fill another, and troll off the old ditty you used to sing, and thank God it's no worse... Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not your misfortunes, of which all men have some. Fill your glass again, with a merry face and contented heart. Our life upon it, but your Christmas shall be merry, and your new year a happy one!

Sketches by Boz, Charles Dickens.

My favourite Christmas quote. And it's Christmas Eve, so of course, I want to wish you all a very happy and lovely Christmas Day! 

Lots of love,

Me, Trotwood, Myshkin, and Oliver xxxx