Wasn't going to write about this as I have been really busy the last week seeing people, planning a wedding, stag do etc since I came back to Scotland for the festive period, but it's something I felt I had to find some time before Christmas to write about. It's something that's been playing on my mind this year since coming back to Scotland and in years gone past around this time of year. Christmas is about family, it's about enjoying the wintery weather, being out and about doing Christmasy things, going to the Christmas markets, meeting up with friends and family you've not caught up with in ages, drinking mulled wine, eating mince pies, preparing a big feast for the big day, bringing in the new year with a level head and a "fresh start" frame of mind, and being thankful for what you have... At least this is what I though about at this time of year every year since the year I found out my parents hadn't quite told the truth about how I got presents at Christmas (turns out the big man can't fit down the chimney and has to use other means of entry to the house...too many beers and mince pies had been put out for him) Anyway, luckily for me, and lots of people I know, this time of year is a time for enjoying the time off, the family, the festivities, the magic and the music, and of course the food...and presents. We all love a good feed and a new laptop, handbag, fire truck, iPhone, lego set, gin making kit, golf clubs etc etc etc. I'm very lucky that I receive gifts, can buy gifts for others, get fed until my trouser button pops, and have a few too many whiskeys and embarass myself in front of family. I'm lucky. And a lot of people I know are lucky this time of year, but it's to be enjoyed and appreciated. So many people share it all over social media as some sort of competition to have more presents for their kids under the tree than their pal down the street. I see that kind of thing as boasting. It's great that you can afford the finer things, loads and loads of toys and new tech for your kids. In fact, if you are wealthy enough to spoil your kids, I think that's absolutely your right to spoil them. They are your pride and joy and you should make Christmas as magical an experience as possible, absolutely. But the whole idea of doing it to gloat about how well you're doing can not only take the appreciation for what you already have out of the equation, but it can damage so many people that really can't afford finer things in life, new toys, hundreds of presents under the tree. Spare a thought for the millions of families that have scraped by and been through horrendous poverty, saving money throughout the year by eating next to nothing so they can buy their child a brand new pair of football boots (or something similar) to then go on social media to see their neighbour with a huge tree with hundreds of presents with a tagline "think santa went OTT this year lol". How do you think that would make that person feel? How would you feel if you were in that person's shoes? I would be sad. Really sad. I'd be thinking "what am I doing wrong? I'm such a bad parent. My child must hate me for only getting them one present." That is no way to spend Christmas, in a complete depression, miserable and hating life with very little to be thankful for, because someone is publicly gloating about how great their Christmas is. It sort of applies to the other part of Christmas that's not about presents. Being joyful and happy and content with what you have at Christmas, be that family, friends, lots of food, a nice warm house, company etc, is great. I have that and I feel very lucky to have this in my life, but there are so many people who have absolutely no one. Sure, some people like it that way, and that's fine, but there are people who don't want that yet have to endure a miserable festive period on their own, not speaking to a soul, see absolutely nobody at Christmas. The loneliest people. At the very least, spare a thought for the people that have to endure Christmas, knowing how many people have everything, big happy family, big meal, laughter and joy. That's at the least. If you feel really strongly about this, do something, take action: invite someone that will spend Christmas on their own round for dinner or a wee drink; volunteer at a homeless shelter/soup kitchen or donate, support or volunteer at a care charity like WhoCaresScotland https://www.whocaresscotland.org/ ; can't think of a last minute gift for someone or that someone who genuinely does not like receiving presents, buy them a voucher for somewhere like the Social Bite Cafe https://social-bite.co.uk/ that gives a homeless person a Christmas dinner on Christmas day or a present to a child that will get nothing for Christmas. It's a time for sharing, enjoying, and being thankful. And if you can do that with friends family and people you love, then it would be admirable and generous to share some of that happiness with the people who need it the most at Christmas time. "It's great to have what you want, but it's greater to want what you already have". Merry Christmas to everyone and a happy new year when it comes.