Tric Kearney: Oh dear, this one has no tag on it. Who’s it for Mum?” says the present master, holding up a gift a child might have wrapped

TICK, tick. Surely I’m not the only one who can hear that blasted clock ticking louder by the day as we get closer to Christmas? Only four more sleeps. Yes, FOUR! Even writing that is sending my blood pressure soaring. No, I’m not “all set for Christmas” as so many have asked me since the first of December, in fact, I’m not even nearly ready.

I need to remember it always works out in the end. I think Christmas would be easier if I possessed the ‘love shopping’ gene, but unfortunately, I suspect I skipped that queue and the ‘imaginative and thoughtful present’ queue. This makes the distribution of gifts Christmas morning a nightmare, as I sit watching everyone unwrap my gifts like someone awaiting their exam results, hoping it’s not a fail.