As a child I learned a song,

'Christmas bells ringing, Christmas bells singing,

Ringing and singing oh what do they say?

Christmas is giving time, Christmas is loving time,

Giving time, loving time, that's what they say.'

The words are simple but full of meaning and memories for me. We lived not far from the churches and at Christmas time the bells did ring out and at school and at home we sang carols and songs. And we had saved money to buy presents for each family member and giving was as exciting as receiving. We crowded into bed with Mum to open the presents. Santa had put some into the pillow case that I'd left at the end of my bed, and there were parcels that had come by post earlier and had been hidden in Mum's wardrobe. After the excitement of the giving, we stirred plenty of love into the Christmas pudding, a date pudding cooked on the day.

When I had my own family the special excitement of Christmas still shone in Mum's eyes when she joined us to watch the excitement of her grandchildren and received gifts from them. Now it is my turn to be the grandmother and I look forward to the loving hugs my family will give me. Early on Christmas morning I know my youngest grandchild will say,'I love you Nanna.' I am lucky to have a family who expresses love in so many ways. I hope that where ever you are, you have someone to make you feel loved this Christmas.

Tags: emotional wellbeing