Everybody looks forward to Christmas Day and Christmas presents. I must have been a very good girl this year, because I had so many fabulous gifts!

My first gift arrived on December 16th at the Milan airport. A very good friend of mine from Estonia visited me in Milan for Christmas shopping and parties. I haven't see my friend since last summer, so we had a lot to catching up to do and we both always enjoy food! This time of course Italian food!!! 

My second gift arrived on December 17th. At  4 o'clock in the morning my boyfriend woke me and said "The baby is born!" He had just received a phone call from the hospital. This is his first nephew and first grandson for his mother and very first baby for his sister. We were all so happy and I was amazed how one little baby can make so many people happy and he doesn't even know it, yet.

My boyfriend and the baby!

My Christmas morning was so peaceful and full of happiness. It was one of the most beautiful days of 2010. My boyfriend organised the Annual Christmas Lunch for old people at the Hilton Hotel in Milan. Most of the guests no longer had a family and numerous ones lived alone. He has been doing this charity work every year for many years. But I stayed at home with his family and the baby boy - the star of the family. When I saw him coming home in the afternoon cold and hungry, I felt so proud of him. That was my third Christmas gift. How lucky I am to have a person who actually does charity work on Christmas morning, spends quality time with his own family and still has energy to see our friends in the evening. I am so lucky!

Then it was back to Marbella for Christmas holiday part two. We spent time with my mother and friends enjoying Marbella weather. On New Year's Day we had sunshine on the beach and snow in Sierra Nevada. I remember mentioning same thing in my last column, so please forgive me for repeating it, but nothing is better than the time you spend with your family and true friends.

Happy New Year to everyone! Sending you all the best,

Saeko Hamada