I fell into my bed on Christmas night and was immediately asleep the instant my head hit the pillow. No doubt I wasn’t alone in that action as the crazy hullaballoo which ensues in the lead up to Christmas day usually takes its toll for most of us by the end of the day. The fact that I’d had a good few wee ‘swallies’ probably aided my transition into slumberland.

Boxing Day is always a day when we do absolutely nothing. After a big ‘fry-up’ we lie around eating all sorts of junk watching TV till really late.

The detox situation is vastly looming but not until after New Year. I am not surprised the Kwik-Fit survey of 2000 respondents featured in yesterday’s Evening Times to be the saddest day of the Festive holidays. ‘Moody Monday’ it has been daubed as the survey responses revealed an increased propensity on that day for rows to break out, tempers to fray and worries about the future to reach their limit.

Long traffic queues, family squabbles and the blues about returning to work were among the main reasons for feeling down. My attention was drawn to the ‘concern over the waistline’ response. No matter how many times we promise ourselves not to over-indulge I find myself unable to shut the lid on the Roses box, put down the sour cream Pringles or resist the tattie scones, black pudding and egg fry ups. And that’s without mentioning the allure of the Prosecco that seems to call out my name each evening.

So like a hefty proportion of the Scottish populace, mostly women, I will be looking out the crash diet tips and programmes for next week. No one wants to enter a new year unable to fasten their jeans comfortably or fit into the wee black dress they bought especially for the party season. Yet the extra time we have on our hands at this time of year inevitably leads to TV catch ups alongside convenience foods by the handful.

Don’t get me wrong I have no regrets. Happiness and relaxation sometimes has overheads but that shouldn’t prevent us enjoying ourselves. So what if we put on a few extra pounds? We have the whole year to work them off, walk them off or, more often than not, worry them off. So fill yer boots I say. Your loved ones should love you for who you are and if a couple of pounds or inches makes a difference tell them to take a hike.

The incredible feat I achieved this Christmas was to make dinner for 10 and receive no complaints. Okay my dad made the soup and my sister made the turkey and chicken but I made the prawn cocktail, roasted the potatoes and boiled the Brussel sprouts. Tommy’s contribution was to pick the trifle and then manage to miss the whole first course as he felt ‘spaced out’ after popping pain killers for what he called ‘a severe pain in his neck’. I know exactly what he is talking about. I have a severe pain in the neck constantly. It’s called Tommy…

In a matter of days we will say goodbye to another year and welcome in a new one. I know only too well that I do so in a privileged position. I am blessed to have my mum, dad, sister, husband, daughter and a close-knit set of wonderful in-laws to celebrate with and rely upon. I really am smothered with the love of my family and some real treasured friends. Not everyone is so lucky.

Some readers will painfully miss partners, parents and even children at this time of year. My heart goes out to each and every one of you. Those of us still lucky enough to have so many family and friends around us should really be thankful. Don’t take any of them for granted. Hug them and tell them how much you love and treasure them.

Happy New Year when it comes. I hope your dreams and aspirations are realised in 2016. Let’s pray for more peace and less war. More prosperity and less poverty. More happiness and less sadness all round.