My Christmas as a single dad

EVERY Christmas, Michael and his daughter Charlie wake up to find Santa has left presents as well as a letter more precious than the gifts.

A FEW years ago I had to drop off my gorgeous girl to her mum’s on Christmas Day.

Knowing I wouldn’t see her for a week broke my heart, the trip back seemed like the longest journey and many tears were shed along the way.

This Christmas with Charlie will be different. She’s six now, and she hasn’t seen her mum since she was two-and-a-half. While she doesn’t see her mum anymore (we’re not sure where she is), I do my best to make sure Charlie knows both her parents love her.

While we’re alone, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

The magic of Christmas is so alive in her, and it’s the most amazing thing to watch.

We’re extremely fortunate to have the support of my wonderful mother and sister and extended family so Christmas is all about being surrounded by them and Charlie’s cousins.

There’s not a Christmas goes by where my heart doesn’t t go out to all the parents not having the chance to be with their kids for whatever reason.

Santa writes a letter to Charlie each year reminding her how much she’s loved

I’m such a sook around Christmas time struggling to keep my tears of joy under control watching Charlie’s absolute belief in the magic of Christmas. Even Christmas carols turn me into a blubbering mess.

We’ve got our family traditions firmly entrenched which begin with a letter arriving for Charlie from our elf on the shelf (which we’ve named Jingles).

The letter asks Charlie to hurry up and put the Christmas tree up so she can return and to make sure some of the misfortune that Jingles suffered last year doesn’t happen again, such as being frozen into a block of ice by Charlie’s Elsa doll. Elsa is currently locked securely in Charlie’s cupboard just to make sure.

Michael’s Christmas traditions with Charlie have her on her toes

We always do the Christmas lights in the weeks leading up to the big day. We also watch Polar Express, Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer, Elf and Home Alone without fail (although I spend the majority of the time watching Charlie’s reactions to these movies).

Charity is also a big part of our Christmas. Trying to explain to Charlie there are some people who Santa needs us to help seems to be working — especially one year when we spent the day delivering hampers for The Smith Family. Charlie was so proud we were actually helping Santa and Christmas morning Santa left her a note thanking her — it blew her mind.

Every single cliche to do with the magic of Christmas is included, from Santa’s footprints on the floor to the cookies and milk. And there’s always a note from Santa telling Charlie the only reason he didn’t bring Dad a present was because before she was born I wished on a magic star and promised I’d never ask for anything ever again if I could just have a baby daughter and now Dad’s got his wish come true but Santa needs her to look after me too.

Even though it’s just Michael and Charlie at home, they spend Christmas with extended family

Christmas morning is incredible. Charlie creeps out early and watching her find everything is the highlight of my day (although my mum’s homemade pavlova is a pretty close second).

So that’s pretty much our Christmas. Family, charity and most of all the amazing belief in the magic of Christmas as seen through the eyes of a six-year-old.

Add in an overwhelming sense of gratitude and way too much food on Christmas Day and I feel like I’m the luckiest bloke in the world with this kid.