In this strange year where the last six months seems to have been crammed into just two and a half, it feels like there's been too much going on in our city for us to turn our mind to Christmas.

Since coming out of lockdown in mod-October it feels our city has been busier than ever, with barely a free weekend to relax and take a moment to breathe.

But now the Bathurst 1000, council election, eased COVID restrictions and end of school are all behind us it's time to finally turn our thoughts to Saturday.

A trip into the CBD any day this week would have certainly confirmed a change of pace. The car parks have been full, the shopping centres have been heaving and the cash registers have been ringing loudly.

Almost as loud would have the heavy sigh of relief many show owners were breathing as their hopes of a profitable December looked to be coming to fruition, despite ongoing uncertainty and rapidly growing Omicron cases across the state.

This Christmas season will be a crucial one for many businesses after two COVID-affected years.

More than ever our economy needs this December and it's been heartening to see that the past few days have been such a busy time in town.

But more than ever our community and our families also need this December as a time to finally take a breath and recuperate from the stress and the strain of COVID.

We've been kept apart from our loved ones for long stretches over the past two years and while COVID is not behind us, we're working hard to get back to normal.

A Christmas Day with our family and friends is just what we need right now.

Embrace it and enjoy it. We've all earned it - and we honestly don't know what is waiting just around the corner.