There wasn’t anything particularly unusual about last Christmas; recalls west Suffolk reporter Mariam Ghaemi as she recalls her favourite Christmas memory.

The family came round to my mum’s house on Boxing Day – as they have done for as long as I can remember - and we enjoyed food, games and each other’s conversation and company.

What was so special about it, in the end, was it turned out to be the last with my granddad – who we all called Gramps – Ivan Hare. He passed away in early January, aged 85.

I remember how happy and contented he seemed to have all the family together, and hear the laughter from his grandchildren as we played ‘sticky heads’ – the game where you have to guess the name of the person written on a sticky note on your head.

This year the lack of his larger than life presence will be keenly felt, which is why no-one in my family is looking forward to Christmas. But I’m so relieved we were all together last Christmas, and those special memories will live on.

As time soothes, and no doubt new additions will be welcomed into the family, I am sure the festive season will be a joyous occasion yet again. Never mind the parties and presents - what’s important is family.