It's National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation time in our household again. Only I'm the Chevy Chase character and Tommy's the ever so patient wife.

He gears himself up for this time of year and puts on a brave face knowing full well that he will be up and down the ladders inside and outside the house until I'm satisfied that each fairy light is in its place. Why he doesn't understand that squinty just isn't good enough is beyond me.

Of course his face tripped him when he was told that he would have to re-hang those lights that had fallen down during the 70mph winds last week.

Like most men, Tommy likes to just 'walk into Christmas' with everything cleaned, decorations up, presents thought about and bought, parties organised and all the food and fun ready to go. I've explained to him for years that the fairies and elves don't do this job.

I really love this time of year and I try hard not to hate the shopping madness, the stress and frayed tempers often on display in queues and car parks as people struggle to get everything done as quickly as possible.

No matter how much you plan ahead there is always something needs done. On Friday we had our Christmas movie trip and I have to say 'Frozen' is one of the best for years. It was very festive and thoroughly enjoyable for both the kids and the adults.

Again preparation is necessary however. With popcorn, drinks and sweets costing more than the ticket it is worth packing your own.

First Christmas Medals

Well done to Glasgow City Chambers who organised the Baby's First Christmas Presentations on Saturday and to the Evening Times for informing readers of the event a few months ago.

My wee baby niece, Charlotte, attended along with hundreds of other Glasgow babies all born this year. My sister said it was brilliantly organised and amazing to see so many dressed up Christmas babies receiving their certificates and silver Angels. Santa was in attendance along with the Lord Provost and lots of tea and scrumptious cream cakes.

Xmas lunch headaches and being serenaded during delays

I've organised three Christmas lunches this year for my friends. As usual the most difficult one is with my airline buddies.

Trying to find a date that has them all in the country on the same day is almost impossible. It was a problem even before the air traffic delays but now it will be even worse as they will be knocked off rostered trips.

Airline crew are usually away from families at this time but for those who have painstakingly applied for and had leave granted the long delays will disrupt Christmas for them. Being stuck on a grounded plane for hours is awful and I can recall enduring this countless times.

However if seated next to someone delightful, the edge can most certainly be taken out of the situation. I fondly remember sitting beside the lovely Marti Pellow for a few hours during a delay. We gabbed for most of the time and Marti was great company. He even sang me a wee song. It was the best delay I had ever ENDURED!