Meteorologists are predicting a cold and wet Christmas this weekend. But a cold Christmas goes beyond the weather, although many are still complaining that the rise in the price of kerosene as announced in the budget will make it colder than usual, or perhaps more expensive.

As most of us decorate our homes with Christmas trees and cribs, and prepare for lavish meals and family gatherings, let us not forget those for whom Christmas is a time of the year that they do not like. For these people, the faster this period of the year goes by the better.

There could be several reasons for this.

For example, for those who have lost a loved one at this time of the year, Christmas will never be the same. For those who have lost a loved one during the year that is about to close, Christmas will not be the same either. The memories of previous Christmases when their loved one was near will continuously flash past on Christmas day, and the feeling will not be pleasant.

There are others whose families have broken up. Apart from the trauma they have suffered and are possibly still suffering because of the separation, they will have to “share” the children during the festivities, Christmas with the mother and New Year with the father.

There are many who will not be spending Christmas with their family for other reasons. Some may be studying or working abroad, and cannot get away from their commitments to come over for Yuletide. Others prefer to go abroad, in search of a happiness that is hard to find, because their families do not accept their situation, and therefore opt to be away from it all, probably to feel worse than they would have had they stayed home.

There are those who do not feel the Christmas spirit within, who are not happy with their lives and cannot bring themselves to celebrate, or who put on a smiling mask just for the sake of others, in particular their children. Those who may appear happy and jovial while in the company of others, but who deep down are sad and probably feel worse at this time of the year. Those who feel alone and lonely even in the midst of a crowd of merrymaking people.

Then there are others whose financial possibilities do not enable them to enjoy Christmas and the New Year like the rest. There will be no turkeys and no wine for them, just the same old meal that they have been eating all year round.

The unemployed; the poor; the people who have no family with whom to celebrate; the elderly whose sons and daughters do not even turn up to say “Happy Christmas”; the children who have been abandoned by their parents; the spinster who took care of her parents for many years and, now that they are gone, has no friends; the bachelor who, protected by old-fashioned parents who are no longer on this earth, has no-one to turn to.

For all these, Christmas will not be as many know it. It is probably the worst time of the year, as they see others celebrate with people they love and have the means to do so, while they consider themselves outcasts of society, and wish to be able to sleep through all Christmastime and wake up to a new beginning. Many times, they wake up to the old world they are used to.

So, while you are having your second helping of turkey and gulping down another glass of wine, think, just think of these people. Remember that one day you may find yourself in their shoes.