Self-employment has many perks and many disadvantages, often both coming together. The best example being you can take time off when you want, but you don’t get paid for it.

I was honoured to be asked to be Father Christmas at Monty’s nursery at the end of term on Friday morning. Their costume was superb (I looked on the box and saw it was bought at Woolworths for about twenty quid). False beard, spectacles, red fluffy trousers and jacket, black boot covers and a hat were all included.

My biggest concern was that Monty might recognise me. In the end I needn’t have worried. The power of suggestion is very strong in small, impressionable children. If they want you to be Father Christmas then that’s who you are, no matter what. If you look like someone’s Daddy, or even your own, then that’s just a coincidence.

Probably the only mistake I made was using a chair thoughtfully placed in front of the children. It meant I was sitting up higher than them like a teacher would, and was therefore a little intimidating to them. In hindsight it would have been better if I had sat on the floor with them so they could gather all around me and clamber all over me, making me a more friendly version.

Having said that, I think Father Christmas went down well at the nursery this year. It’s a great role. It was my first time as Santa - I hope not my last.

New Portable DVD Player now in Red. Perfect for people on the go.

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