(If you don't have young children and are not into video games you won't have any idea what I'm talking about !) Top of my wish list is for a drier and warmer summer next year. In the meantime I intend to make the most of the festive season.

Shops charge a fortune at this time of year for holly so what could be better than going into your garden and snipping off a few sprigs to bring indoors for decoration. If you want berries (they look gorgeous and are a good source of food for birds) there are male forms of holly which pollinate the berrying hollies, so you would need to plant a male form nearby. (Ladies, who said the male species was good for nothing!) A word of warning though, some hybrids have confusing names. A holly called 'Golden King' is actually a girl. Ilex aquifolium 'Ferox Argentea' is a male form.

Mulled wine was invented for drinking outside in the garden on Christmas Eve with friends and family. It gives you a warm glow and a "Christmassy" feeling that you will never forget, unless of course you have too many, in which case you won't remember either! See what I mean about using your garden as an outdoor room - even in winter. The garden takes on a wonderful atmosphere with subtle lighting and when the stars are out - wow!

Bringing the 2008 Gardeners Diary to a close, I would like to wish all of you a lovely Christmas and a peaceful and happy New Year. And Father Christmas, I promise to be good next year if you grant my Christmas wish …