Why does everyone I’ve ever met want to catch up before Christmas? January exists too! | Vivienne Pearson

I'm sure we'll survive not seeing each other for a couple more weeks, when the rush of December gives way to lazy days

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How many times have you heard the classic end-of-year phrase: We must catch up before Christmas!"

There's no doubt a deadline sharpens the mind, but do you know what else has to happen before Christmas? Present buying, lunch organising, holiday planning, work deadline meeting and celebratory drinking. For those with children, add in class partying, school concert performing, childcare concert attending and dance concert hair-spraying (so many concerts).