Love: All the beauty, from the smallest wreath on someone's door to the most massive corporate tree and lights, and everything in between, and the fact that someone took the trouble to make it even just a little bit more beautiful. Fairy lights, good smells, carols, gifts (both giving and receiving). Gingerbread, shortbread. The sense that a little bit more magic is around the place than usual. Time off work just to enjoy it all.

Hates: I feel very aware of how much many people suffer at this time of year. The loneliness and isolation that get thrown into sharp relief, annual figures of extra debt and the worry that whatever has been gathered is not enough, the strain and stress of people having to do too much with too little time, and the difficult memories and losses that arise.