Sporting seasons and outside school activities are winding up, work parties are in the wind, and you can smell a hot Christmas in the air.

Many of us are looking forward to time at home with out families.

Those of us lucky enough to have time off – and there are plenty who don’t – are looking forward to  a shift in focus from jobs to the people we love.

In the excitement of the planning of gifts and food and parties, it is indeed easy to lose sight of the spirit of Christmas.

As the Salvos remind us, it’s not all about ipads and cruises. Whether you have a religious upbringing or not, Christmas is about something completely apart from how much technology your Christmas dollar can buy.

It is about sharing a special time with people you love. It is about living the magic with your children, strengthening your bond as a family and being thankful.

The present Santa brought you at seven is rarely the memory you have of that Christmas. It is more often about where you were and what you were doing with your family.

Love them, because it will not always be like this. Just ask the people who cannot do those things this Christmas.

Even those who cope with feeling alone 364 days of the year can struggle on the one other day - Christmas Day.

Be happy, and share your happiness. Maybe you can even plan that one extra little gesture for someone who will treasure it far more than your child might enjoy that one extra present.