Changing Ireland - Our hopes must match our reality

THE next few weeks will be challenging for anyone growing uneasy with the over-commercialisation of Christmas.

Even families still enjoying good incomes will feel the strain as the celebration becomes more and more concerned with materialism and acquisition each and every year.

And, as the economy struggles, the Society of St Vincent de Paul warned us yesterday that many, many more families are feeling the strain and have been forced to turn to the charity for help. For families who could not so long ago cope the festival will no longer be a celebration to enjoy. Rather it will be a struggle to meet ridiculous expectations established in better times.