"In comes I, Old Father Christmas"

Still no snow this weekend, so we went to the Victorian Stroll in Troy.

Here's Christopher posing with Patrick Sisti, an old friend playing Father Christmas.  Not only does Patrick have the look down pat, he has a friendly, generous nature that instantly reassures the most shy child.

 "In comes I, Old Father Christmas. Be I welcome or be I not - I hope that old Christmas will never be forgot!" 

Christmasarchives.com has lots of information on English Christmas traditions, including the non-fat, non-red, not-always-so-jolly Father Christmas.