How’s the Christmas preparation going? We’re out for lunch Christmas day, other than that no big plans. How about you? Don’t tell me… you’re entertaining the whole family again. Not a lot of ‘sharing’ is there when it comes to looking after ageing relatives?

Betty, my 83-year-old mum-in-law, is enjoying herself. She’s supposed to be helping Mrs B make truffles but seems to be scoffing the ingredients as she goes along. Not sure how good truffles are going to taste minus chocolate?

I’ve definitely spent less money this Christmas but given more to charity. It was a conscious decision not to allow commercialism to dominate our festivities. I quite fancy going to church Christmas Eve although the shock will probably kill the vicar. I’m sensing a growing community spirit and want to take part.

The amazing success of Macc’s Treacle Market and Wilmslow’s Artisan Market has been a revelation. People love catching up with friends as they browse and shop. It doesn’t work in big retail environments but open-air markets are perfect. Paid a visit to Macclesfield Mind in Duke Street today. You should call in and see how hard some of these volunteers work in what is a very unfashionable charity.

We all love charity dinners and glam stuff but not many of us want to work at the sharp end. Go and say hello, you’ll be welcome. I’ve been ruminating on how much time and energy we spend glorifying entertainers, footballers and all those ‘successful’ individuals who appear daily in our newspapers.

But it isn’t our respect for those at the top that defines us, it’s our treatment of those at the bottom. I was reprimanded by a lady at Euston Station last week for handing a fiver to a dishevelled drop-out. ‘He’s only going to spend it on alcohol,’ she scolded.

‘Yeah, so was I,’ I replied.

‘I would not give him money for beer.’ ‘What did you have in mind, an opera ticket?’ Of course I understood her point and in a perfect world I’d have asked him to sign a pledge of sobriety, but I left it to his discretion. Maybe he bought a pizza? With animals the divide between top performers and drop-outs is even wider. Millions adored Red Rum, Arkle and Desert Orchid but what happens to horses that don’t shine, greyhounds that can’t win and pets failing to meet their owners’ expectations?

Christmas is the perfect time for contemplation and I’m planning a few changes. You might want to make some of your own. Don’t go joining a convent on my say-so. Just listen to your instinct. You may be surprised where it takes you.

Enjoy.