Friends and relatives might visit but the pace will be less hectic and the atmosphere light hearted. A cold meal will be perfectly acceptable with food and drink intake at a more normal level. If you're working, everything will jog happily along and you might find you finish a specific project before time. This could have a lot to do with the fact that everything's being kept going with a skeleton workforce so you have more time to focus on your own business.

Proof if proof were needed that no two Christmases are the same will come today when yet another surprise is in store. You should be able to forge ahead with personal plans and projects after information received from people some distance away. You might be making travel and accommodation arrangements on the internet or by phone. Holiday plans can be clinched now. This is a good day for contacting loved ones overseas.

Agreeing to visit an elderly relative or in-law you don't get on with will be an unselfish and generous action. Loved ones will be grateful for the sacrifices you make today, to keep them happy. Even if there is some tension at a gathering, stay pleasant. Don't give up and go home as you feel inclined to do. Things could improve. By the end of the day you might count the trip as having been a reasonable success.

If you've overindulged this Christmas, your stomach will be paying the price today! Be kind to yourself. Don't allow the idea of duty or housework to enter your mind. Instead, relax, take it easy and choose simple meals to give your body a chance to recuperate. An old skill you haven't practised for years may come in useful as you take an interest in activities children in the family are sharing.

Expect an undemanding day with a lot of mixing with neighbours and friends in a cheerful and carefree spirit. A hint of a bonus could come your way if you're showing your face on the work scene today. In fact a task you're asked to do will give you a lot of job satisfaction and there is no doubt your long term hopes and plans are taking a definite step forward. A modest party or get together this evening is likely to be a huge success.

If your romance has been disappointing lately it will perk up this Christmas. You might come up with some bright ideas with regard to your work or some future plans. These will need polishing but this won't be possible at the moment with so many distractions around you. The best thing you can do is scribble them down quickly and return to it another time. An older relative is more likely now to ignore points to criticise, and praise positive occurrences; their lenience could come as a surprise to you.

A new family project will be of an intriguing and attractive nature. This won't be without its challenges but you will be keen to get involved and you will accept these readily. To cement the cordial atmosphere you've recently been enjoying in your social circle, you and a loved one might invite a few friends round this evening. Someone might bring along a newcomer to your area with whom you will establish an instant rapport.

Expect a sociable day without the pressure you felt yesterday to make Christmas special for everyone. There will be more chance to circulate and mix with friends. Travel is favoured especially short trips around your neighbourhood. An elderly neighbour might put an exciting challenge to you. You will have to exert yourself more than expected to meet it but as well as the satisfaction this gives you, you will be applauded for your efforts.

A restless mood steers your thoughts towards projects and people who have nothing to do with your current surroundings. A Christmas card or telephone conversation with someone who once featured large in your life might bring back some fond memories. You can't turn the clock back so look ahead instead. If you're working today, your mind will be on anything but the job in hand; be sure this goes unnoticed!

You're starting to realise what's important in your life. Your instincts will direct you to areas which are most likely to bring happiness in the future. Make a special attempt today to get your ambitions firmly targeted. Loved ones may complain you're being too serious but you will have more control over your affairs in the future because of the decisions you are making now.

You won't have any complaints about the more sedate atmosphere of the day. Although you might feel in a rather restless mood, you don't have the energy to explore new areas. If you do decide to take off on the spur of the moment it will be a good idea to keep your journey limited just in case you encounter transport troubles or you decide you don't really want to go out anyway and you'd rather turn around and head back home!

If a friend suddenly pulls out of or cancels arrangements you had been looking forward to, don't question this too deeply. Your first reaction might be to assume there's something wrong with the friendship when in fact, it is entirely possible they must attend to personal matters that cannot be left any longer. Understanding is what other people need, not criticism. For that reason, associations and communications today call for a pressing need for you to use a lot of tact and diplomacy.