It is a time every year you see people's impatience and frustration levels rise, trying to cope with the heightened demands on time, financial pressure and the general stress the season brings. Some taking it out on shop staff others take it out on themselves.

Christmas often turns into the polar opposite of what it actually should be.

The season of good will and peace on earth becomes a pressure cooker for unrealistic expectations and materialistic mirages masquerading as happiness.

So why not take some time out and enjoy something for free. The outstanding Christmas lights cost little more than a drive round the neighbourhood and might just recapture the spirit of celebration with no more effort than looking.

See the best here

Or perhaps Sunday is your opportunity just to relax in a festive-free 24 hours and catch up on the news.

Here is just a glimpse at so much that is going on.

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On another note, why not try something different during the festive season ( or the Boxing Day recovery!) . As a valued subscriber of The Courier, we are giving you the chance to attend the performance of Twelfth Night, presented by OZACTS, on December 26th.

Your prize will be a double pass, valued at $70, for the show at Kirks Reservoir Park Gardens, Ballarat.

Entry is easy, simply complete this form for your chance to win.