Deck the halls, trim the tree, mull the festive wine, wrap the numerous pressies, write the dozens of cards, dish out the mince pies, crack some walnuts, which will mostly go uneaten – “But it’s tradition, we always have nuts at Christmas!” Then, when the great day comes, after weeks of seasonal excitement and building anticipation, spread the groaning table with a Yuletide lunch that would probably feed a family of four for the best part of a week, pull those crackers and get stuck in. “Who wants a leg?” And afterwards, while the children or grandchildren squabble and play, sit back with a glass of vintage port, or a nice cup of tea and a crafty dip into that box of Quality Street, and snooze until it’s time for the Christmas Strictly special. “Anyone fancy a turkey sandwich?” And what’s wrong with any of that? It’s Christmas. If you can’t enjoy yourself at Christmas, then when can you? It’s no good being a Scrooge at Christmas. So, Merry Christmas, everyone! Goodwill to all men, and women, and to any person who identifies in any other way. Christmas is meant to be a time of celebration, even if the reason for that celebration is increasingly forgotten or ignored as the years roll on and our culture changes. But come on, jingle those bells and enjoy. We’ll be back to reality soon enough.

Let’s face it, those may be the all-singing, all-dancing TV advertisement and primetime viewing images of a proper, traditional Christmas, but in reality, the so-called season of goodwill has always been a difficult time for the increasing number of “have-nots”, those who struggle to survive throughout the year and not just over that brief period when the excesses of others hit hardest, especially for “have-not” children. This year, millions more are set to receive a bitter taste of what it’s like to be a “have-not” at Christmas. The UK is in a mess: instability and insecurity rules. Three prime ministers in as many months, eyewatering energy prices, soaring inflation, the pound tumbling, banks panicking, strikes by public sector staff who have never before taken industrial action, and the dreaded drop into recession. How, then, can those increasing thousands queueing at food banks, many who previously gave to foodbanks, think about cooking Christmas turkey with all the trimmings when there’s nothing in the bank to pay the bills? Perhaps then, this year presents an opportunity to consider a cutback Christmas regardless of our circumstances, a timely chance to reflect on the plight of many others throughout the year? This doesn’t mean not doing our best for our family and friends, or not enjoying ourselves in the best way possible. But even Scrooge managed to belatedly change his ways to discover the true spirit of Christmas and bring comfort and joy to those far less fortunate than himself.