I have four god-children - all in one family - and, when the first one was born, I had an idea which, I hope, will prove to be a version of Mother's Jewellery Box.

For Elinor's first Christmas, I bought a wicker basket (with a lid) and lined it with quilted Christmas-print fabric. And I gave her one Christmas ornament to go in the basket.

The next year, I gave her a *regular* present ... plus a Christmas ornament.

The next year, she had a baby sister ... who was then given a different shaped, lined Christmas basket, plus ornament. Elinor also had one new ornament.

And so on the next year, when sister number 3 joined the ranks.

Two years later, there was a ... gasp! ... brother! Conundrum: what does one do for *boys*? Well, I decided to do the same, and got him a wicker fisherman's basket (lined, ornament, etc.) and I reckon that, when he leaves home and has his own first Christmas tree, some girl is gonna think that he is seriously adorable...

Anyway, I think the kids all really look forward to this side of their Christmas each year and I'm hoping that when they get old 'n' grey ... like their god-mother is now ... all the little ornaments will remind them of all the childhood Christmases... and maybe a bit of me too.

sian