I can’t think of worse way to end awful year

IT’S less than 12 weeks away – news that, any other year, would have some of us running for our iPads, scrambling Amazon on to the screen and endlessly scrolling for the perfect gifts.

As usual, even before Halloween appears, the shops are stocking up on baubles and trinkets – Christmas is creeping up on us.

Anyone else feeling more uneasy about it than ever?

I can’t be the only one having those conversations as the end of 2020 comes into view. It really will be the year that we all want to forget – and hopefully this “new normal” will allow us to do that soon, as we find our footing with the ever-changing rules.

But are we likely to enjoy the festive season surrounded by friends and family, to be able to shake off the dread and fear of the previous months and wish our loved ones a merry Christmas?

With the start of October and the onslaught of festive aisles and big tins of sweeties in the shops, you can’t help but wonder if we’ll be dreaming of a Christmas, never mind a white one, when December rolls around.

The usual family squabbles about eating in or booking some swish (overpriced) restaurant have been replaced with pensive questions about what the rules permit now, what lockdown measures are around the corner and if three households is just one well-wisher too many.

The big worry, for many of us, are those family members – and the people who don’t have anyone at all – who may yet spend Christmas alone, after a year of lockdown solitude and uncertainty.

There are people struggling to make ends meet, worried about jobs, many no doubt wondering if their Christmas can go ahead even without the restrictions.

I can’t think of a more heartbreaking way to end an awful year.

We may not know what the next few will bring but maybe it’s time to start thinking about how we can help those who slip through the cracks at Christmas time, whether our family celebrations go ahead in person or on Zoom.

Perhaps we need another collective clap, a reason to be outdoors and celebrating together at a safe social distance.

Maybe this is the year that we stop wasting money on novelty socks and put it to those who need support more than ever.

We have 11 weeks to figure it out - and if anyone has a plan, I’d like to hear about it and help spread the word.

Let’s face it, we’re all a bit dazed and confused and Christmas tends to dazzle us that bit more but wouldn’t it be nice to see some good come out of the bin fire that was 2020?