WELL, it's all over, and we have a few days respite until the next bout of celebrating begins.

No doubt Forresians will be welcoming in 2012 on the High Street with the traditional Hogmanay revelry at the bells.

The community certainly has a lot to reflect on and good reasons to look forward. The Forres Communities Activities Association will be helping them to do just that, and deserve a bit of support for their December 31 event with pipes and the odd bit of dancing, promising to send 2011 off in traditional style.

Retailers were certainly stepping up the pace, and reporting a steady few days in the run up to the festives, although one local shopkeeper remarked last week that the more organised style of shopping this year was due to the fact that Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, so people have been able to follow their normal shopping patterns.

Here at the 'Gazette' offices, the usual last-minute panic was avoided, although work has certainly been steady, with some early deadlines to meet.

Once the Scout post has finished, the toy appeal items have all been collected and the last-minute adverts and stories have been filed, things do start to quieten down, although there is always scope for more.

A sort of calm seems to descend as Christmas Day gets nearer. Perhaps it comes from knowing that, for a couple of days, people can forget their troubles and just concentrate on enjoying themselves.

Although for some the festive season isn't all pretty, with stress sometimes likely to spill over to squabbles and police reporting an increase in domestic disputes, mainly due to over-indulgence.

For others, they spend the festives alone, or worse, with nowhere to go. Community and family are what count at this time of year. Enjoy them.

It just remains to thank our readers for their support over the past 12 months. Keep your news and views coming in. We rely on them. Happy New Year and all the best for 2012.