The pre-Christmas excitement is well and truly underway. I’m used to viewing shops through a filter of tinsel and fake snow; my children start every sentence with the timelessly festive words “I hope Santa brings me…” and I’ve got one eye on my party dress and the other on the scales.

And I feel okay. But it’s early days, and I still have loads of time. And loads to do. Shopping. So much shopping. Making mince pies and Christmas cake. Ferrying to children to a dozen parties and three separate Winter Wonderlands, each one The Real One. A few drinks parties, a couple of evenings out with friends. More shopping. Wrapping and sending …