FOR the family of murdered musician Aaron Buron, the Christmas period will never be the same again.

Dad-of-two Aaron was just two days away from his 30th birthday when he was stabbed to death by teenager Haydan O’Callaghan in March.

O’Callaghan was sentenced to life in prison in October, with a minimum of 21 years behind bars.

Mr Buron’s family describe the 29-year-old trained chef as being the life and soul of the party who loved the festive season – and even dressed up as Father Christmas one year for the children.

But this year, his two boys – eight-year-old Aaron Jay, known as AJ, and Cory, two – have had to face Christmas without their daddy.

Cory’s mum, 25-year-old Sarah Craft, of Blackbird Leys, said: “He should be here – someone took that away from everyone.

“He should be here celebrating with us. He always made it special.”

The family planned to visit Aaron’s grave on Christmas Eve to release balloons with messages to the dad-of-two.

Ms Craft said: “Aaron is not here, so you have to make it that little bit special.

“He loved Christmas. He always helped with the decorations, that’s why it took me so long to get mine out.”

She added: “If I didn’t have the kids I could easily cancel Christmas. But because Christmas is for them, I have to make it better for them.

“The last few years with Aaron have been the best ever.”

Aaron’s sister Jemma Buron, a 31-year-old mum-of-two from Risinghurst, said: “I feel obliged to do a little bit more this year.

“I feel I have to do what he did.

“We left everything to the last minute. Last year we had decorations up on December 1, this year we delayed it.”

On Christmas Day the family gathered at her parents’ house in St Martin’s Road, Rose Hill, for a festive dinner.

She said: “Aaron would be happy that we are pulling together. He would be proud of us.

“If we didn’t do anything he wouldn’t be happy.

“He would like that we have come together because that is what Christmas is all about.

“I think he would be proud everyone is together and trying to make an effort.”

Knife crime was one of the subjects hip-hop musician Aaron, who was studying carpentry at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in Blackbird Leys, spoke out against in his songs.

The family of Aaron Buron has set up a trust fund to support his two sons. To donate email Jemma_buron@msn.com