This Side of the Pond

As always, I like to take the opportunity at Christmas time to reflect on the good things in this world. It’s been a difficult year for all of us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy some holiday cheer.

First up, we have a nine-year-old from Essex in the UK, who understands that honesty is always the best policy. “I’ve tried hard to be good but miserably failed,” she said in her annual letter to Santa. “I’ll be honest, I do deserve a coal.”

Nevertheless, the cheeky young thing felt she would still like a present. With no ulterior motive than to assist the jolly elf in his...