How much work have you got on right now? I’ll tell you: too bloody much! The run up to Christmas is a nightmare for those of us who like to take it easy. And after a hard day at work you’re expected to attend some client bash, and if you don’t stay until the early hours, you’re called a lightweight.

Here are four reasons why PR drives me nuts at this time of year:

1. Christmas coverage. No matter how often you tell clients that Christmas campaigns have to be prepared in the summer, they still want coverage in all the glossy magazines right now. It’s simply too late. And trying to get in the weeklies and dailies is no easy task. Especially if, like me, you intend on not lifting a finger between Christmas and New Year.
   

2. Christmas parties. For those with PR jobs, you don’t just have your office party to put up with. You have to organise client festivities, plus make sure they are exciting enough to tempt jaded journos to attend. Most importantly though, you must be extremely happy all the time. It’s a kind of forced fun, which isn't the same.

3. Working on the last day before Christmas, usually Christmas Eve. You might think this is a good day to go into work, as there won’t be much to do. BIG MISTAKE. If anything does need doing, you’ll be the only person, or at least the only sober person, around to do it. And be warned, it is likely to be crisis management. So not only is it impossible to do on autopilot, you can't even get up and leave – not even the "my youngest is in the Church nativity play" excuse does the trick (I've tried).

4. It is impossible to stay in shape. Just when you need to be fighting fit, you have no time to do any exercise and everyone is forcing mulled wine and mince pies down your throat. It’s also a tricky time to stay off the fags (did I tell you I am trying to give up smoking?).