Alice Cove-Smith: Rediscover yourself

Christmas is a time to embrace your inner child.

It is never too late to channel your inner child. Christmas poses many opportunities for us to do just that.

Whether it's decorating the tree or lounging on the couch watching Christmas movies, there are many causes for over-the-top excitement, something which I have branded - appropriately - Buddy The Elf Syndrome.

Christmas is also a time, if you are unleashing said child, to reflect. I discovered that most recently when I stumbled upon one of my favourite all-time movies, Barbie in the Nutcracker.

Please don't laugh. Yes, I admit it. I, a grown 18-year-old woman still possesses an intense love and adoration for the perfect plastic heroine coveted in many a toy collection.

But I am not ashamed. The reason why is because, even though it's an outdated piece based on a classic ballet, to me it is timeless transportation back to when I was 5, back to when life was simple with no cares or concerns.

That's what I mean. Christmas reduces us to a state of euphoria and happiness, unless you're used to the Christmas Day turkey being charred and the inevitable screaming matches which follow. Kidding.

But, even so, Christmas is a time for us to sit back and relax. Rest easy, friends, and rediscover yourselves. Watch that old movie, decorate the house with multi-coloured tinsel explosions. And for Heaven's sakes, eat as much food as you can. You deserve it.