Have you put up your Christmas tree or thought about how many cards you will be sending? Does 'another' invitation to a Christmas party make you groan?

As the words of the popular carol tell us "'tis the season to be jolly….." but as we are bombarded with Christmas music and seasonal images in shop windows and on television commercials, for many people this time of year can make their hearts sink.

Some people don't have happy memories of family gatherings and all the fuss and the shopping frenzy can be as empty as the large wrapped boxes under the corporate Christmas trees. In her poem In The Bleak Midwinter, Christina Rosetti wrote:

"If I were a shepherd, I could give a lamb. If I were a Wise Man, I could do my part, yet what I can I give Him, give my heart."

Perhaps it's time to think of doing something completely different this Christmas. Perhaps you would like to think about giving a bit of your heart and your time to be a listening ear by volunteering. For example, you could be a befriender to someone who is lonely and isolated or a driver for a voluntary organisation such as the Caterham Car Scheme, St. Catherine's Hospice or Seeability. If you wanted to give more practical help you could spend a few hours one evening a week with the Winter Night Shelter.

If you would like to try something different and find out more about the diverse volunteering opportunities that are available, come to the Soper Hall in Harestone Valley Road, Caterham from 3pm–6pm on Wednesday 5th December, email me on caterhamvc@ tvsc.org.uk or take a look at the National Volunteering Database www.do-it.org.uk.

Thank you and Happy Christmas.