With Christmas upon us, I have begun to notice a strange phenomenon. Although Christmas is a time of joy and hope for so many, I have also noticed a heaviness, a stress, a pressure that has started to come to the surface in people’s lives.

As The Salvation Army, we notice these pressures firsthand.

They are the pressures that are placed on individuals and families at Christmas which can turn a time of joy into a time of distress.

One of the most obvious pressures is the financial pressure people face. It is the choice between paying for food and affording presents for their children or being able to go to the doctor instead of a special Christmas Day meal.

Christmas also illuminates other pressures, like relationship tensions as family conflict is heightened, or time pressures due to the busyness of the season.

But one of the more hidden pressures we see people facing, although often one of the most damaging, is the pressure of comparison with those around you at Christmas time. Pressure to spend a certain amount, look a certain way, buy a certain number of gifts, have all your friends over for a meal, the list goes on.

We see firsthand the damage this can create. The stress placed on a family trying to ‘keep up’ with those around them can be debilitating, not just for individuals and parents but also for children.

This is why we want to encourage Australians to re-think how they approach Christmas this year, so as to not fall into the trap of comparison and ‘keeping up’ with those around you.

Aim for connection, not perfection. Being with others is so much more valuable than stressing about creating the perfect Christmas, whether it be with family, friends or the Salvos – there’s no need to be alone this Christmas, we’re here for you.

Share the load. Ask others to chip in, encourage everyone to bring a plate or help out in another way. You don’t have to be everything to everyone.

And finally, if you are struggling this Christmas, please don’t be ashamed to reach out for support. We want you to know that we have your Christmas taken care of this year – providing gifts for children, hampers and meals for Christmas Day, and a place for connection where you can belong.

If you need help this Christmas, or to donate to The Salvation Army’s Christmas Appeal which is aiming to raise $29 million, please visit salvationarmy.org.au or call 13 SALVOS (13 72 58).

From all of us at the Salvos, we wish you a very happy and hope-filled Christmas.

Colonel Rodney Walters

The Salvation Army