Happy Christmas to all!

Christmas is a joyous time for many of us, but for some it can be tough, writes Cllr Martin Wrigley.

In this time of a cost of living crisis money worries may be on the mind of some.  For others they may be missing someone dear, or on their own.  

And for others they may be worrying about preparing for they days ahead and the expectations of others.

I never feel ready for Christmas, and when people ask if I am, I start to think about all those things I might have got done weeks ago – sadly sending a card to my sister in Australia is a long missed deadline.  

But each year the day arrives and happens smoothly or not, and somehow it usually works, and I try not to let it stress me out, but to just let it happen.

Every day we see TV adverts and write ups in the papers about what you need to do for the ‘Perfect Christmas’ – and I wonder if any of these will improve the day for many people. 

Somehow, I doubt it. Chasing other’s ideas of perfection has never been my goal.  

In recent years in my family we have been dropping some of the older traditions that no longer make sense to us. 

Along with a few new things, we still hang up what’s left of the Christmas decorations that we had when I was very young – however old and tired they may be now. 

They are full of memories of Christmas past and family no longer with us.  

This has resulted in a much more relaxed day, and – in my view – a happier one that still celebrates and remembers what is important.

In wishing you a Happy Christmas, whatever your traditions or circumstances, I hope that you feel able to pick out the bits that work for you, and not to worry about the rest.

Happy Christmas.