LUKE MARSDEN: All I want for Christmas is family

Forget the presents: a gathering of relatives is all that's required to lift festive spirits

I’ve not had to fight a single person over a version of Monopoly I don’t need, I’ve not even had to wrestle the last bits of over glaring wrapping paper from someone’s arms.

If nothing else can be said about 2020, thank God for the internet!

Like many in Wigan, I have tried my best as much as possible throughout this nightmare year to support as many local businesses in our town, they really do need our help.

For many the golden quarter has become more of burned turkey. Whether it be booze or food (mainly booze), I’ve looked online at who sells what in Wigan. We do have lots of choice available. Yes, it hasn’t been the year many (any?) of us thought it would be and I can’t imagine someone asked Santa last Christmas for a global pandemic, but the sheer resiliency of people has been a shining beacon.

Both my mum and sister are NHS frontline workers and I simply couldn’t be prouder. Like all key workers this year they have been our backbone and deserve a well-earned Christmas break (my mum and sister are both actually working on Christmas Day) this year more than ever is a time to celebrate, enjoy the fact we’ve made it to the end in mostly one piece.

So, from my family to yours, I wish you a very merry Christmas, get that extra slice of turkey, that extra glass of champers, that extra pig in blanket because we deserve it this year.

I haven’t asked for a single Christmas present (I’m 33 I don’t need Action Men anymore) because seeing my family on Christmas Day is a present enough. OK, I asked for socks, but they surely don’t count?

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