As we approach the Christmas season, I’m sure you’re all looking forward to writing out your Christmas present list, then spending loads of time tramping round all the shops looking for that elusive present that wasn’t on your list. Does this leave you feeling depressed and stressed out and you haven’t even given any thought to organising Christmas Dinner for friends and family. Yes! it’s a time of year when it’s all go for the ladies of the house.

What about making an effort to smile more this Christmas? One Christmas, a large department store posted this sign throughout its various departments:

“Think of the value of a smile: it costs nothing, but creates much. It enriches those who receive it, without impoverishing those who give it. It happens in a flash and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever. None are so rich that they can get along without it and none so poor, but are richer for its benefits. It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business and it is the countersign of friends. It is rest for the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sad and natures best antidote for managing trouble. Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is no earthly good until it is given away. And if in the last-minute rush of Christmas buying some of our salespeople should be too tired to give you a smile, may we ask that you leave one of yours. For nobody needs a smile so much as those who have none left to give! So let’s all start a chain reaction this Christmas and walk round with a smile on your face and see what happens.”