Recently, my father was in hospital and, although he was in pain and needed tests, his sense of humour and interaction with those around him remained.

What shocked us was the answers he received from one of the lovely nurses that attended his needs.

He asked her what Christmas meant to her and what it celebrated.

Her response was that it was a time of celebrating some winter festival by giving and receiving gifts, serving sumptuous feasts and getting together with friends and family.

“Okay; Have you ever heard of a man called Jesus?”asked dad.

“No, can’t say I have. Why, who was He?” replied the nurse with an expression of confusion played out on her pretty face.

“He was the son of God and Christmas is a celebration of His birthday as he was born on the 25th of December.” dad explained.

Has it got that bad that commercialism, selfishness, overindulgence and overspending have overshadowed the real reason for christmas?

As you all know, or should by now, I love the odd gadget and would love to see one  under the tree (albeit a small felt 9″ affair) on Christmas morning but I also appreciate why this day is special. We should be kind to one another the year round and maybe offer help and treats over the twelve  months too.

It has become  a season of stress, hatefulness, jealousy, selfishness and loathing and with thanks to the marketing departments of businesses and television it has become utterly boring to the point that most are sick to the back teeth of it and can’t wait for it to end.

Every which way you turn there is someone trying to sell you something, give to charity (so the governors can realise a higher bonus), watch a telly repeat or spend money. You’d be safer at a rodeo or at the hands of Dick Turpin.

Once the New Year finally makes and appearance the credit cards are full, the bank accounts empty and the store loans are as high as they can be. Everywhere one goes there is more stress, gloom and despair for trying to impress and outdo as folk come to terms with their stupid choices.

It’s just not worth it when a simple meal, a walk in the park and some good conversation is all that is needed to cheer one up. Maybe some silly hats and jumpers would not go amiss and a small gift that means something would fit the bill.

Being a postie, I see families ordering a plethora of items online. Thats fine but add that to the car loads of goods and things that other companies deliver to them then it does make me stop and think. Thousands of pounds are spent on goods that a few days later lay broken or abandoned. Food is thrown out by the wheelie bin full. Bottle banks groan with the increased amount of empties from stifling parties. Might just as well well set fireto those bank notes and it may have been a little more exciting too.

No one stops to think about the click of a button and what that causes to the hoards of folk employed to deliver the item that was clicked on. No one says even a thank you for getting it to the buyer on time and before the big day.

Push into the queue to grab the last turkey or pair of socks. Gridlock roads so the handbag (that will be in a charity shop a few weeks later) can be bought (on higher purchase).  Curse and swear that a store has run out of cranberry sauce two weeks before the 25th. Be forced to work over-time to ensure that Santa gets a helping hand when they are the ones who also have a life and need to provide but are working to allow others to be sorted first.

Self, self, self. Me, me, me. I’m alright Jack sod everyone else. Thank you? Why should I, its your job!

Okay we all resign and see what happens then. No wine to grace the tasteless crystal, no happy Jonny as there will be no action figure or play station 4, no tree to shed its needles. No nothing and see how you bleat then.

A simple smile and thank you go a long way and make things worthwhile.

I just wonder if all the waste was put into a pile and shared out how many years that pile would last and still give pleasure?

Think about your actions. Can I afford that gift or extra food? Does that child really need 25 presents? Do we actually need the neighbours freezer space for the food for the family meal?

If the answer is no then stop and don’t do it. Honestly, don’t do it.

A much better gift at Christmas and The New Year is to bring happiness, love, fun and a smile to proceedings and a token gesture of something to boot that is affordable and apt is a bonus.

Seasonal Greetings and Happy Christmas to all for 2016 and all the years to come.

But Most Of All Be Amazing And Smile.