I suspect we will all heave a sigh of relief tonight, when our families are safely gathered in and the front door is closed.
There is something about Christmas Eve falling on a Friday which adds to the general stress.
It's the end of the week, the end of the working year and for some - I suspect - almost the end o our tethers.
I often think how, for Christians, these festivities mark a new start.
So it's ironic that the birth of Christ should come just as we reach our lowest ebb.
But isn't that the point - that we should be renewed at this coldest, darkest time of year?
In Pagan times, great fires were lit at the equinox. People feasted and green trees and boughs were brought into their homes.
Presumably, they craved the light and warmth as we do now.
The glow of Christmas is meaningful to most of us.
Christian or not, look at how many of us want to make Christmas special.
Time with loved ones, presents, delicious things to eat and drink - so much effort goes into it.
Personally, I find Christmas is a time to reflect, at least when you are not fighting over the TV control with your nearest and dearest.
And while we may not all be church goers, many of us want to believe there is something more than darkness to look forward to after our allotted span on Earth.
Indeed, I think that the more we wander away from belief, the more likely we are to return to it.
The world faces many difficulties but I am an eternal optimist and, as we gather with our families and friends this christmas, we can count ourselves extremely lucky.
We have much to be grateful for when you remember the horrors of the tsunami, the Haitian earthquake and other natural disasters.
Finally, the snow - despite the difficulties - has sprinkled its own Christmas magic, at least for the children. Can I wish you all a very merry Christmas.