Anyone who says we live in an uncaring, thoughtless society must have had their eyes closed for the last week as, all around us, people have rushed to raise money for unfortunates at home and abroad.

However affronted I’ve been by the fact that the favoured garb for those shaking Children in Need buckets this year was the animal print onesie (so not a good look on anyone over the age of 16 or 10 stone) I can’t deny their courage in displaying themselves in such a fashion for a good cause.

Equally impressive is the speed with which events have been organised to help victims of the typhoon in the Philippines.

It’s a shame, then, that alongside this display of goodwill and charity there is also so much greed on show as Christmas approaches. My pet hates: those demanding little signs for front gardens instructing that Santa Stop Here (writing a wish list is one thing, but interfering with the magic progress is quite another) and “stocking fillers” which are just plain greedy.

A “yard” of biscuits or chocolate bars, a giant lolly-filled lollipop and a slab of chocolate more suitable for an Arctic explorer than for devouring at 5am on December 25 are just three of the gargantuan “treats” on offer in local shops.

Without being so sanctimonious as to suggest we all give money to charity instead of buying gifts this Christmas, surely there is some way to bridge this divide, so we can enjoy our presents without feeling broke, bloated and faintly guilty?