How many times have you been asked what you or your child wants for Christmas only to realise there’s nothing you need or even want, that you don’t already have.

Christmas for many of us really has become a time of over spending and over eating … and it’s that time of the year again.

Surely not. It can’t be just a month until Christmas.

And forget all that nonsense about where the year has gone, the real concern now is how can we get everything done that needs to be done before December 25?

What is it about Christmas that it has such a knack of creeping up on us every year?

Sure, we get plenty of hints – the tinsel in the shopping centre should be enough – but that last month still seems to be a whirlwind of parties, presents and people. People everywhere.

At least, that’s the case for the luckiest among us.

For most, Christmas is the happiest time of the year, a time for family, friends and – most importantly – children.

But that’s not the case for everyone.

Shockingly, Christmas evening is one of the busiest shifts of the year for telephone counsellors at Lifeline Central West – and they all know it’s coming.

While most homes are ringing with laughter, too many in our community are lonely and alone.

At the same time, Christmas is a nightmare for families who are already doing it tough.

No parent can bear the thought of their child missing out, so too many spend up big on presents they can’t afford just to have something under the tree.

But we can help. We’re fortunate in our community to have no shortage of groups wanting to provide a better Christmas for all. The Smith Family. The Salvo’s … the list goes on.

We can help them help others. But we have just a month to do it

thanks

Tracey Prisk

Editor Central Western Daily