Back to cakes! My mum is a big Christmas food traditionalist and spends most of November preparing mince pies, Christmas puddings, and Christmas cakes. We were lucky enough to receive one this year, and all we needed to do is decorate it. I wasn't feeling too well today though (running nose, sneezing, sore throat, etc etc), but had promised to do this after work. The greedy vultures had been closing in, but I'd said categorically that no cake was being eaten until the decorating had been done (so extra pressure there).

I cheated a little by buying ready-made coloured icing that looks and behaves a lot like playdough. I also had some writing icing in the cupboard from previous bakings. Eilir had already had the idea that he wanted Father Christmas and a 'carw' (reindeer) to feature. I started with Santa, and then realised that I didn't have any pink 'playdough' icing - so plumped for a 'Simpsons' yellow face instead. Eilir made his carw and I suggested breaking up some bamboo barbecue skewers to reinforce the antlers. I started the snowman, again in yellow, as Eilir commented "Like someone wee'd on it" (boys and their toilet humour....). Eilir then took over, making a scarf, hat, eyes, etc. He again used bits of skewers for the arms, but was a bit concerned that someone might try to eat them. Last came the sleigh covered in presents, this started with each of us making individual presents, then Eilir suggested that he should make the squares and I should decorate them. As we were doing this he mused "We're like a factory, a house factory. We're elves, cake elves". The last parcel was made by Eilir and decorated with silver balls - this was to be HIS present.