And the pressure too.

The pressure to reunite with family members that for the rest of the year we avoid seeing. The pressure to be merry even when we’re normally medicated for depression. The pressure to guzzle beverages like egg nog even if we’re vegan.

And of course the pressure to buy buy buy.

As soon as there’s a sniff of summer and the smell of Christmas, the very worst of Western consumerism bubbles to the surface of our sub-consciousness, propelling us with a dark hand to purchase “stuff” in order to prove love.

And when the day’s done – that one, single, intense day of 365 other notable days – what’s left behind apart from a ton of discarded wrapping paper, unsuitable toys and abandoned puppies?

Mission Australia area manager for South East NSW Daniel Strickland warns that often what’s left behind is just disaster.

“Our homelessness service supports a number of families in the Eden area, and those clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness will naturally put their kids first and don’t want their kids to miss out.

“Families feel the pressure to ensure their kids get the latest gadgets or toys, and essential things take a back seat, like paying the household bills or putting rent on hold.”

Mr Strickland said Mission Australia is busiest directly after Christmas and into the new year, as clients face unpaid bills and tenancy risk.

And far from Christmas being happy, Mission Australia reports a “spike” in domestic and family violence over the festive season.

“Family stresses come to the fore over Christmas,” Mr Strickland said.

“Families that don’t normally socialise come together, or return to estranged families, and problems can escalate.”

Mr Strickland, a father of five children and with Mission Australia for 14 years, told the Eden Magnet he’s personally tired of the pressure of Christmas.

“As a family we’re going away from family,” he said simply.

John Grisham wrote the comedy novel Skipping Christmas, about a sour older man who rebels against Christmas only to discover the love of community via a series of accidents.

Either by accident or design, maybe more of us should skip Christmas.

And tell our family members – close or far – that we love them…365 days of the year.