THIS time of year can be difficult in so many ways for so many people.

The stresses of the festive period are myriad, with finances and tempers stretched to breaking point, and the suggestion that if you’re not having a good time then you should be so you’re not doing it right.

Don’t get me wrong, there are elements of Christmas I love, but also elements I could live without.

Many people will be spending the festive period on their own, some won’t be able to afford presents, and some – likely far more than in recent years - will be relying on foodbanks for their Christmas dinner.

That’s not alright, but it’s the way it is right now. Maybe next year will be better, maybe it won’t.

But what I’ve learned in recent years, especially during 2016, which has been a very tough year for many, is that it’s okay to not be okay, but it’s better if you try to talk about it.

Even if it’s an anonymous call to The Samaritans, PAPYRUS, or any of the charities there to listen and help you through a hard time, those few minutes might just be what you need.

So far, I know this column is not very reassuring, and not very Christmassy, and for that I apologise. However, I do still have a spark of optimism within me, and though the wording might be a little trite, I believe the meaning is still valid.

What we all have is hope. Hope that things will get better, and that even if we’re at our lowest, all we have to do is get through the day, and when the sun comes up tomorrow the world might look a little bit different.

While driving last week, I saw some graffiti written in dirt on the back of a lorry that read: “Smile, things will get better!” Next to that, in different handwriting, someone had written: “No. They won’t.”

If I’m being honest, I loved the optimism of the first message, and found the harsh pessimism of the second more amusing than I should.

Those grimy fingerprints pretty much sum up all aspects of humankind, and even the duality of our own minds, if you want to get all deep about it.

As it happens, I was having a bad morning, and seeing that lightened my mood. Sometimes it’s the simple things that can help.

So, in the spirit of simple humour, here’s a little something to make things a bit more Christmassy (and with apologies to Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston Jr).

Anyway, merry Christmas everyone, and all the best for 2017...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town

Many folks knocked off early and threw their tools down.

The off switches and shutdowns on keyboards were struck,

And those with time off were thanking their luck.

While shoppers ran errands and bought fancy gifts,

Too many survived on food handouts and thrift.

The papers are filled up with tongue-in-cheek copy,

While festive bash-goers get drunk, ill or stroppy.

And readers learned things they might not need to know,

As the news river content trickled and slowed.

“Cheap decorations you can make for a pound”,

Or “How to escape when your family comes round”,

“Cooking leftovers that won’t make you sick”,

And “Playing charades so you don’t appear thick”.

Meanwhile, the world’s looking back on the year,

With thoughts of the joys, the pains and the fear.

A year that saw cities bombed to kingdom come,

And icons fall like Remain’s referendum.

Gone Bowie, gone Corbettt, gone Wogan and Rickman,

Gone Lemmy and Cruyff, Prince, Ali and Yelchin,

Victoria Wood and Jean Alexander,

Gabor, Gest, Gill, Cohen, Vaugh(a)ns Robert and Peter

Daniels, Aherne, and that Wilder man Gene,

And any praise left for England’s football team.

But we all carry on and hold on to the hope,

That the world won’t be ended by an oddly-haired dope,

As the White House goes orange in the New Year ahead,

Who knows where the West will end up being led?

Will 2017 see less dread for us all?

Who knows? In the meantime, try to have a ball.

I hope you’ll be happy, whoever you are,

Differences aside, we all share the same stars.

I’ll leave you with this simple rallying call,

Remember that springtime will soon improve all,

As the darkness of winter gives way to the light,

Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

  • If you need to talk to anyone over the festive period, The Samaritans are on 116 123, and the Papyrus HOPEline is 0800 0684141.