Hopefully all the presents are bought – although I'm sure I'll have to brave the Christmas Eve crowds for something.

It's meant to be a time of peace and goodwill, but I'm not sure that message has got round to everyone.

Christmas stress often seems to replace Christmas joy as we try and get everything just right for the big day.

It's often said to be a time for children. The joy of seeing youngsters – and many adults – opening their presents on Christmas Day along with the delight on their faces makes makes many people's Christmas.

A lot of people also bought gifts a few weeks ago to fill shoeboxes and send them to children in needy parts of the world and when we see the pictures of them with possibly their first ever Christmas present it makes it all worthwhile.

Perhaps Christmas is also a time to think like a child. As adults we often get caught up in the worries and moans of life – complaining about sometimes insignificant things which as children, we wouldn't have batted an eyelid at.

This week Derbyshire County Council has presented young achievers awards to many in our area. Youngsters like Zack Roome and Kade Webster have had to cope with more in their short lives than many of us have over the decades.

They have battled through adversity and yet are still smiling. Their courage should be a message to us all – at Christmas and throughout the year.

So as we spend the next few days buying those last-minute gifts and making sure everything is ready for the Christmas table, let's be a bit more like children, learning to focus on what really matters and spreading a little peace and festive joy.

Have a happy – and peaceful – Christmas.