ANYONE else feel over-emotional at this time of year? As wonderful and magical as Christmas can be, it can bring a whole host of thoughts and feelings to the surface and before you know it, you are sobbing into your mince pie.

I have lost count of the number of times I have cried in the past couple of weeks.

Some occasions have been mere wet-eye moments and others have been full blown, hyperventilating, snot-inducing incidents worthy of that Gwyneth Paltrow Oscar acceptance speech.

The reasons behind my waterworks have ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. Because I love Christmas so much, it only takes a soppy festive ad on the telly depicting a smiley family enjoying a special day together to get me going.

I was actually relieved this year when the John Lewis advert did not instantly cause me to collapse into a weeping heap on the floor like previous incarnations have. At least I thought I had escaped it but the truth of the matter is, the more I have watched it, the more that cutesy little dragon has grown on me. Now I can barely make it to the bit where he sets the town’s Christmas tree on fire before I am dabbing away with a tissue.

There are plenty of other offenders when it comes to brands hitting a festive nerve with me on the television. I have even been known to quietly weep over the Coca-Cola lorries the first time they pop up each December.

Christmas movies have a similar effect as they pretty much all contain a fuzzy, heartwarming festive message or a joyful ending absolutely guaranteed to set me off.

I found myself at the cinema with a grown up friend a couple of weeks ago watching Elf (do not judge... I bet you would have gone too given half the chance) and we were both sitting with fat tears rolling down our faces by the end of it. It has a very moving finale that film... it gets me every time.

Then, Tuesday night, the amazing Salvation Army brass band turned up on my street to belt out a few Christmas carols and that was me gone. I was standing my doorstep all misty-eyed and tingly before you could say “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

It was a beautiful moment and I look forward to it every year.

Of course, as a parent there are the inevitable tear-jerking situations involving one’s little angels at this time of year. Ladies and gentlemen I give you exhibit A... the school Christmas concert. Dear me, what a messy affair that was as I sat entranced by my boy (hands stuffed in his pockets) singing Walking in the Air at the top of his voice along with 31 of his classmates.

Granted, the sound was not dissimilar to that of bagpipes being stood on, but it was still a precious moment to be cherished and, of course, I was blubbing like a baby by the end of the first verse.

At least I was not alone this time, as half the hall was sniffing and wiping along with me.

Sometimes the tears appear for no apparent reason, but I am 45 so can justify it by assuming my hormones are involved... who am I to stop them if they need to come out?

It is a well documented fact crying releases stress hormones, so let them flow I say.

Christmas songs are also responsible for some of my booing sessions. This is where things get a little more serious as the tears are often connected to absent loved ones, as certain tunes have a tendency to take you back to a time and a place, and often a person.

The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York will always remind me of my mum, who I lost ten years ago.

I heard it for the first time this year at the end of a spin class and I was just not prepared for it. The instructor had chosen it as our warm down track and before I knew it, there were tears streaming down my cheeks and dripping onto my Lycra.

Grief is a wily old fox at times and creeps up on you when you least expect it, bringing you crashing down whether you like it or not.

At Christmas, feelings of loss and sadness can seem all the more present as emotions are heightened and time with family and loved ones really comes into focus.

If a person you always enjoyed Christmas with is no longer with you, it is no wonder this time of year can sometimes be painful and difficult to negotiate, no matter how many years ago they passed away. Everyone’s grief is different and we each process it in our own individual way. For me, it is about allowing the tears but also about remembering the happy times as my mum loved Christmas as much as me. I know one thing for sure, she would want me to tuck into the cheeseboard with gusto.