I came into work yesterday morning to see that my intern had cutely scribbled a Christmas tree on our wipe board saying 16 days to go. Arrggh I thought. But after a sharp intake of breath, I felt reassured that at least I spent the day before in London attacking Oxford Street.

Now I don’t mind crowds normally, most people are courteous and considerate of others. This doesn’t quite seem to be the case on Oxford Street. Perhaps it’s all the bright lights and the glitz of the decorations strung all over the streets and building facades, or perhaps it’s just the people.

I found myself having crowds of people streaming towards me. As each one sees me; they veer left or right exposing the next person behind them to the same fate. It’s a kind of relentless domino effect where I feel like a bulldozer.

It can be quite overwhelming as I normally need to focus on cracks in the pavement, street furniture, dog poos – the usual catalogue of street obstacles. But when I have to look at people and try and get by the element of danger increases and this is before I have even got into the shops.

Once inside you’d think it would be better, no? The frenzy of Christmas means the shops that are normally spaced adequately become flooded with displays spilling out into the aisles. Throw in the frenzied crowds and I’m basically invisible and trampled or cut up. I don’t quite know why Christmas brings out the bonkers in people but I’d like everyone just to calm down a little bit, pace yourself, look up from your phone or beyond the next glittery display. The lights will still be shining above you, the shops will still be stocked, but the person with the wheelchair might have a slightly nicer experience as well may the others involved in the tussle to get the shopping done.

Christmas is a time for sharing right?

Or that’s what we are led to believe. I think Christmas Day certainly is but I think perhaps this is a moment to reflect on the carnage that in the run up to Christmas could involve sharing some thoughts about those that face different obstacles in procuring the perfect gift. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all held the door open for the next person, whether they are just heavily laden with bags, or come with some wheels attached.

But in the spirit of Christmas I would like to share that amongst the carnage there were some lovely staff and customers alike. As I took some pictures of the lights on Oxford Street on my way – and a snow flake gently fell – I thought, well, yes it’s been hectic and annoying at times, but when you slow it all down and take in the atmosphere, Christmas is a special time that I look forward to sharing with those special to me.