Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year

It's two days. Just two, out of 365. We cram in more tasks than we achieve the whole year round. We fill our diaries with endless get togethers, frightened that people will be offended if 'we don't get together before Christmas'. The shops will close for two days but we buy enough food and supplies in case the world ends on 26th December. Am I the only one who thinks it is daft? I watched my mother go the extra mile to make Christmas special but nearly lose the plot in the process.

Talking to another mum at the bus stop today, she exclaims how her two boys under 5 are completely wound up with excitement for Christmas. Which is an argument for tapering down the fuss. It is completely possible to make the festive season special for the kids without having a nervous breakdown. After all, most kids under five, won't remember the build up a week later, they have memories like goldfish only retaining snippets of amazing moments.

Before you write me off as a complete Scrooge, I am getting in the festive mood. All the kids activity classes are on holiday, no dancing, no swimming. CBeebies Bedtime Hour has been replaced with Jackson Five's Santa Claus is Coming to Town and other festive oldies. I will be spending whole days in the kitchen cooking, which, for me, is a sort of therapy. We have time as family to prepare together and have some fun.

For many people, Christmas is a time for being with loved ones. Which is why, when those loved ones aren't around anymore, the day can be a stark reminder of their loss. If you're single, divorced or can't be with your family for whatever reason, you'll undoubtedly feel more lonely than you've ever been made to feel. It can be a very cruel occasion.

For my brother-in-law and a close friend, 2011 has been the year of cancer. This will be their first Christmas without their mums. It's probably the toughest hurdle for their grieving process so far. They will be spending it with their families which could ease the pain but equally being altogether may make them aware of who is missing. I know I'm going to be supping back a Baileys for someone who won't be at our table and I hate the stuff. I can't really decide if it is a good thing to be reminded of all the bad stuff or healthy to take stock and reflect.

Whatever the outcome, I won't be sorry on 27th December that Christmas is over, it won't be an anti-climax. I'll be relieved to get on with more important things in my life, like starting a business and dealing with the fact i won't have a job come May 2012. Merry Christmas, I promise I'll cheer up by the 25th.

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