Spare a thought for those who spread festive cheer

'Light up someone elase's Christmas' at Countdown Masterton from left Jess and Daryn Bishop, Braden Crossan, store manager, Kathy Johnson, volunteer, and Sandi Kopi Salvation Army Famly Store manager.

WHILE you tuck into a good roast turkey, pavlova and steamed pudding on Christmas Day spare a thought for those who give up the day to spread festive cheer.

Every year, thousands of people give up spending the day with family to ensure others have a grand day.

It's no different in Masterton.

Church groups host meals for the needy with a volunteer Santa always thrown in and volunteers cook and serve the guests, showing the true spirit of the season - the gift of time and good food.

Many more are forced to work like policemen, doctors, nurses and fire crews: making sure we are safe or tended to if something, heaven forbid, goes wrong.

By the end of the day many of them have experienced first hand the sadness the day can bring and, more often than not, it is caused by an over indulgence in alcohol. From car crashes to domestic violence or brawls, most are caused by this legal drug - destroying families and good memories children should have of Christmas.

Somehow I think over the years, we have forgotten the true reason for the season and some just use it as a reason to get smashed.

While I'm not a religious person, it isn't difficult to realise it is all about the gift of life and thinking of others not getting hammered to the point those celebrations are destroyed or cause misery.

As a result, many people can no longer find joy in the day - instead of sharing good memories they are dealing with a previous year's pain.

Don't think it will never happen to your family because you could be the innocent person heading home after a great family catch-up.

Let's keep safe this year and share plenty of gifts, not grief.

Merry Christmas and stay safe.