"The trouble with being the Prime Minister's sister is, it does put your life into rather harsh perspective. What did my brother do today? He stood up and fought for his country. And what did I do? I made a papier maché lobster head."

This wonderful quote was uttered by Emma Thompson’s fan-favourite character in Richard Curtis’s 2003 festive rom-com smash, Love Actually.

While there aren’t many of us who can relate to being the PM’s sister, there are only too many parents across the land who I’m sure have been there with regards to ridiculous nativity costume prep. And, of course, ‘tis currently the season.

At only three years old, my little ‘un is yet to partake in the annual joy of telling the tale of the birth of Christ in the cutest possible fashion, yet, with school now not a million miles away, the door will soon be opened for her to tread the boards.

As a prospective parent, there were a couple of things that I was particularly looking forward to: bedtime stories (I do a mean

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