While all around is grey and gloomy and freezing cold, Christmas is a glowing light to brighten up the grimmer months of the year.

I have purchased all the necessary supplies: chocolate, biscuits, chocolate biscuits, and a bag of satsumas to give the illusion of a balanced diet.

The cards have been sent and most of the gifts wrapped.

I still have an advent calendar and my excitement has been mounting with each door opened and each chocolate eaten.

For me, the festive season started with the tree festival at St Peter's. It's such a wonderful sight to see the church filled with all the beautifully decorated trees. The festival is a nice idea because it's a celebration of Christmas that doesn't involve stress or huge amounts of spending. Instead it is a peaceful space in the middle of the town centre, raising money for charity, and I always enjoy setting up the Free Press tree there.

Once I'd got one tree under my belt there was no stopping me. Every inanimate object in the house is now festooned with fairy lights and garlands. The decorating spree continued into the workplace and my colleagues are – many against their own will – now working within a web of tinsel.

Of course, part of the reason for my Christmas cheer is because I have two glorious weeks off work.

I have it all planned out. Approximately half of the time will be spent hibernating under a duvet and, depending on what pressies I get, about half the time out of bed will be spent staring at either a television or computer screen. The remaining time will involve socialising or eating biscuits. Bliss.

I understand that Christmas can be a difficult time for some, such as those who have to face it alone, but I don't know why others keep complaining.

What's the point? All you are doing is cheating yourself out of a good time. You don't have to go overboard. Don't bother buying gifts for everyone you have ever said good morning to, save that for your nearest and dearest and give everyone else a card and invite them out for a drink.

Get yourself a CD of seasonal songs, a tin of Danish biscuits, and a £15 tree and cover it in fairy lights.

Call on your family, friends and neighbours and just enjoy yourself. After all, it only comes once a year...