Why is it every year people spend money on things they can’t afford for people they don’t always like, let alone love in the name of Christmas – a great marketing ploy……

Now the awful news for CityLink’s workforce of losing their jobs – what new year beckons for them? – especially if, like many people, they spent overdrafts/loans etc getting presents, food, booze and so on?  The news this morning of queues 500 deep for the Boxing Day sales!  Where does this total consumption end? Half the time we buy stuff in sales which we regret later.

Life can be very cruel and we never know what is round the corner.

Watching the baby in our family show huge excitement at the balloons, tinsel, wrapping paper struck me on how much I’d become wrapped up in the consumerisation of Christmas.  Buying too much of stuff that will be thrown away.  The baby of the family showed me all that is needed is time, attention and love – none of which we can buy.

As the New Year beckons, let’s love ourselves and our families that bit more by giving our time, energy and focus to what they are doing rather than line the pockets of retailers.

I’m very lucky in having a job I love and family and friends I care about and who care about me.  I wish you all the same.  May 2015 be filled with opportunities for you.  My New Year’s resolution is to not fall into the marketing/sales traps anymore.  To enjoy the holidays for their true meaning – not religious dictates – but to be with those we love and show them we love them – not with goods but with us physically being there – all of the time, not just at the holidays.

Instead of being rich, losing weight, never drinking again, why don’t you pick a New Year’s resolution which is achievable, sustainable and will bring you so much more joy.

Happy New Year!