For some reason, we have forgotten about the tradition of visiting people’s homes. What if you invited a neighbour who lives alone for an evening tea? Or if you invited the mum of your child’s friend for a coffee for the duration of the play date so that you could also get to know each other?

Don’t raise the threshold for inviting people to your home too high. A visit does not require a squeaky-clean home, any special food to offer, hours of free time or extended preparation.

If you don’t want to invite people to your home, you can ask a friend or a neighbour to join you for a walk or to look at the Christmas lights in your neighbourhood. You can also offer to keep someone company or help them with shopping trips, for example.

But don’t be offended if the other person turns you down: everyone has their reasons. It's the thought that counts: your invitation alone will surely cheer them up.

For many, Christmas is the loneliest time of the year. What if your good deed for this Christmas was to invite a lonely neighbour to your Christmas dinner?