St Nicholas Day, 19 December 2010

A happy St Nicholas Day to every house with a child in it.

Somebody was awake very late last night. Somebody found the parcel where it had been hidden for a fortnight, checked that the child was actually asleep, and put it under a pillow without waking them — which is a manoeuvre requiring more skill than it sounds.

Tomorrow that person will express complete surprise.

Every enduring family tradition is maintained by an adult doing something slightly absurd in the dark, and then never mentioning it. That is worth acknowledging once a year.

A good morning to your household tomorrow.