Stress
‘That’s over for another year — we’ve passed the annual stress test.’
The Spectator
Thursday
Nativity
‘As a junior shepherd, I refuse to attend the nativity at the weekend.’
Stable
‘This looks like the right place.’
Bank 7
‘Do you mind if some students watch while I rake in loads of money and refuse to lend you any?’
Saving
‘Now all we need is some money.’
Oven
Planes 2
‘Now, Dasher! Now, Dancer! Now, Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! On, Cupid! On, Donner and Blitzen!’
Good
‘And have you been good?’
Roaming
Easter 4
‘Ah, so this is the real Christmas Island.’
Selfie 10
Mi5 2
‘Oh, him? That’s just Secret Santa.’
Kings 3
Cat 6
‘Hello, fire brigade? My cat is stuck up a tree…’
Newsagent
Igloo 3
‘We’ve put in a basement swimming pool.’
Barometer | 10 December 2015
Christmas birthday Next year has a claim to be the 400th birthday of Father Christmas. Ben Jonson wrote a short play for James I, called Christmas: his masque, performed at court in December 1616. The central character, named as ‘Old Christmas’ and ‘Captaine Christmas’, encouraged everyone to merriment. He had ten children, with names ranging