My ramblings here are a hugely enjoyable part of my weeks, and I am enormously proud of being involved with the wonderful team at StyleNest.

Having been remiss with my dad’s articles (which I also love doing), I have managed to at least partially legitimize my time looking at clothes, accessories and all manner else online and in the flesh; the ‘curation’ is bits I think will fit the site, and which I love, often by friends or sourced but at times from the barrage of emails I now receive.

However, I thought this was as good a time as ever to urge you, at least fleetingly, to buy nothing at all. Not for you, your wife, partner, kids or anyone else you know. 

To take a little of your hard-earned and donate to a charity of your choice. Or, indeed, to donate a little of your time trying to make the world a tiny bit kinder. 

There are any number of stunning causes out there; from your doorstep to other side of the world. For me, that predominantly means a membership to Amnesty International, and donating to cancer charities. 

Beyond that, find a food bank or homeless group , raise funds for your local Children’s Hospital, support mental health charities, buy a goat or help a child get through school. If that sounds glib it isn’t. Neither is it my intention to preach in any way, or tell you what to do. Simply the desire to remind you that we are likely much luckier than so many out there doing remarkable things day in, day out. 

As such, it’s never a bad plan to count our blessings, and spread a little empathy any time of year. Meantime, the merriest of Christmases to you and yours, and a stunning, Happy New Year. May the road rise up to meet you.