Penarth Times columnist Alison Powell on what she enjoys most about Christmas, and why she is reflecting on the good things in her life this festive season.

MY FAVOURITE Christmas plate is piled with lebkuchen and mince pies and there is a chocolate panetonne nearby too.

The Christmas tunes are ready to blare out and an assembled mass of goodies is waiting to be preened, stuck and made sparkly in a wreath.

This time last year, I spent a glorious afternoon sipping prosecco with my friend Amanda at Llandough Hall.

We were there for a wreathmaking class and what a wonderful way it was to usher in the festive season. At this time of year in particular, I love having friends over for meals or curling up and chatting over a cuppa and warm mince pies and cream.

I enjoy nights out in Cardiff and Penarth sipping fizz as twinkly as my top. I love singing Christmas songs and bustling about at Christmas light switch-ons and markets.

I love having family and friends to stay and sitting up late laughing and then having lazy brunches the next day. It feels like so much of this will not happen this December.

Bubbles of the non-alcoholic type, social distancing and the worry of keeping everyone safe, means that so much of the mingling and mixing that was such a part of Christmas jollies, can’t happen this year.

Like so many people I know, anguished calls have taken place about what to do about Christmas Day. I know many people who are suffering with their well-being and emotional, mental and physical health.

There are people incredibly worried about their jobs and finances. I know people who are just downright bored and fed up and are desperate to be able to plan, arrange, book, look forward, but at times it can feel like we really are deep in the depths of the bleak midwinter.

But, looking at my dining table piled with goodies of an edible and non-edible persuasion, I am reminded that thankfully, although not exactly the same as before, then at least there is still plenty to be grateful for.

Food should always be consumed with appreciation and I am a passionate believer that the food that we eat nourishes not just mind and body, but very much our soul.

Having a choice of food and an abundance of food is a tremendous privilege and it is humbling and valuable to bear in mind that some people do not have enough at this, or any time of year.

Warmth and shelter should also not be taken for granted when there are people across Wales and the rest of the UK living in fuel poverty, unable to afford their heating bills or not using their heating for fear of the bills.

Family and friends should always be treasured too, if we are blessed enough to have them, I have been reminded of the love, support and joy they can bring.

So I will not pretend that times are easy, but I will say a personal thank you that they are not much harder.