IT'S that strange time of year when many people are not quite themselves.

Whether it’s the lack of daylight hours, the added extras to social calendar and chore list stretching us thin, children hanging by a thread at the end of a seemingly interminable term, or the pervasive communal sense of anticipation building as we careen, glitter-shedding and wine-stained towards the end of another year.

It’s not called ‘silly season’ for nothing. Mild-mannered types are Gangnam Styling on the dance floor, hyper-organised alphas have melt-downs, and ‘Who is that running round with the mistletoe???’ Apart from those early days of spring when the sun emerges, and we all, as one, head lily-limbed for the nearest al fresco situation, it’s one of the only times many of us are on the same page – even if our reasons for celebrating are varied.

For some it’s an important religious holiday, for others it’s an excuse for a month-long party, for some it’s about instilling a sense of magic in their children’s formative years, and for others about spending time with family and friends, while for many it can be the most difficult time of year.

No wonder there are vast numbers of us who end up feeling splattered by the end of the month.

Last week I got up at 5am to buy ginger and bicarbonate of soda, and I realised how important it is to find a little corner of calm in the chaos – whether it’s taking a beat to realise that not everyone might be having as good a time, or just to keep yourself sane.

So whether it’s snatched time early-morning before anyone else is up, taking a walk, or indulging in a film marathon from the Christmas True Movies channel, it’s important to occasionally hit the pause button, or next thing you know you’ll be competing fiercely with friends and making special trips to Fortnum and Mason, to see who can unearth the most Christmassy of Christmas tins in some kind of frenzied Tin Wars. Imagine…