It’s a Wonderful Christmas, honesty!

It seems like only 12 months ago it was Christmas. Yep, the festive season is upon us. All the relatives we have avoided for the past year suddenly appear on our doorstep expecting free drink and food! ”Sure isn’t it great to see you!” Err… no!

We will hear all the usual complaints that Christmas is too commercialised. Everywhere is too busy, Those usual ‘bah, humbug’ lines are trotted out, like “When we were kids we got half an orange and a used cracker and we were grateful” and “Where do people get the money from!?!”

Listen up, dear readers! The same complaints are trundled out every year. You dictate the sort of Christmas You have. Don’t blame others. Keep things as simple as possible. One of the reasons A Christmas Carol (Scrooge) is so popular year after year is that we recognise ourselves in Scrooge.

I beg of you to watch It’s a Wonderful Life and remember that despite everything the majority of us are lucky enough to have a wonderful life. The main character, George, finally realises with the help of Clarence the angel that he is indeed, despite financial troubles, a very lucky man.

Please remember more is not always better! So what if our table is not heaving with food we won’t eat? Less is indeed more on this and many other occasions. Greed is not good. Keep things simple.

Here’s a suggestion that won’t be welcomed by those consumed by the need for profit. Give an appropriate and simple present that means something. Then ask for the recipient to write down three things you can do (non-monetary value) to make their lives better over the next 12 months.

Like a dog is not just for Christmas neither is giving or showing kindness and consideration to those we profess to love.