Christmas is a time for togetherness

In her weekly column, Maddie Grigg shares tales from her life in rural Dorset...

WE'RE gearing up for Christmas here in Lush Places.

It's that twinkly time in the village square that I love so much, though I still haven't plucked up the courage to get a string of coloured bulbs in the tree above the door.

Still, the village looks very Christmassy. There are no Advent windows this year, but the vicar's encouraged us to take the theme of "stars" and make it our own.

The inside of the pub is dressed up to the nines, with donated Christmas decorations and ones made at community "afternoons" throughout November.

There's a roaring fire, too, a tree in the corner and the smell of mulled wine and mince-pies in the air.

It's been a busy year in the Grigg household, both in the depths of Dorset and in south-west France.

We've been blessed with good health, great weather and good times with family and friends old and new.

Little Rex is walking and talking, and I know he will be a delight this Christmas.

Quite possibly he'll find more fun in the boxes in which his presents are wrapped than the contents.