(It is Christmas morning, and my sons are opening their gifts. My 6-year-old has just opened a gift. His eyes light up and he jumps up and down, completely ecstatic.)

6-year-old son: “Yay! I always wanted this!”

8-year-old son: “What is it? What did you get?”

6-year-old son: *still jumping up and down, with a huge grin on his face* “I have no idea! But I always wanted it!”

(We have several chocolate Christmas decorations on our Christmas tree. Traditionally, we’re not allowed to eat them until Christmas Day. It is Christmas Eve.)

Sister: “Can I please eat one of the Christmas decorations?”

Dad: “Sure.”

(He cuts a piece of tinsel off for her.)

Dad: “There you go.”

Mum: “No, don’t eat that! You’ll get tinselitis!”

(My mom, dad, older sister, and I are sitting around chatting after having family dinner. I’m telling them about my week at school and use the word ‘mirth’.)

Mom: “What’s mirth?”

Sister: “Isn’t that what the wise men brought Jesus? You know, with gold and frankincense?”

(My dad and I stare at each other for a few moments then burst out laughing.)