A little something from grandma

The Diary’s many regular readers will recall last week’s lyrical waxing about Christmas presents from Christmas past. What it neglected to mention, however, was the particular subset of gifts that comes from grandma – pound-shop after-shave, ill-fitting hand-knitted jumpers, a 50p postal order… you know the stuff.

But now matters have sunk to a new low. The Diary has begun to receive presents from other people’s grandmas. Yes, Stella, grandmother to Iris’s Ian Millner, has sent the Diary a plate, with a picture of herself on it. Along with the plate comes a card, and some photos of Stella wearing Mickey Mouse ears. The Diary can only hope she was remunerated handsomely. And be warned: the Diary has an idea for low-cost Christmas stripagrams…