Pity the poor buggers facing the prospect of Christmas in Baghdad. We've got a team of about a dozen people who'll be spending the festive season dodging RPGs, while the rest of us slumber in front of the TV.

Amazingly, some of them will be there of their own volition. Their home lives must be in a bad state.

This morning, my foreign news colleagues have been packaging up supplies for them, to be taken out this weekend along with the cameras, flak jackets and helmets. BBC Baghdad will be feasting on fine chocolates, pate, Christmas cake and a wealth of other delicacies.

It can't be much compensation, but hopefully it'll help.