THE celebrations are over. For some, the turkey or nut roast and trimmings have been marvellous, the presents perfect and friendships have been renewed.
For many, the spiritual side of Christmas has been the most important and has given the New Year a feeling of hope and optimism.
But not for everyone.
For some, the stress of the build-up to Christmas, the strain of the day and the let-down when things did not live up to expectations have made it a time best forgotten.
What happens to those for whom it was not a 'season to be jolly' - those who 'celebrated alone' or who found that Christmas was the catalyst for a family row or even a break-up? How are they coping?
Many of these people may have remembered that there are people out there for them and willing to listen to all their troubles.
These people would have phoned or visited The Samaritans, who have a centre in Taunton, and would have been able to get things off their chests.
Director Alison said: "We in the Taunton branch, in common with volunteers from other centres, are always available to listen to anyone affected by the events of the last few weeks or who might be struck by some unforeseen misfortune in the future."
Founded nearly 50 years ago in a church crypt, The Samaritans has over 200 branches throughout Britain plus Befrienders International overseas.
All of them have been available throughout Christmas and New Year, as they were through the foot and mouth crisis, for example, and will continue to be - round the clock on a genuine 24-7 basis.
The Samaritans was founded in 1953 by the Rev Chad Varah, now aged 90, in Central London.
He had been deeply affected by the suicide of a young girl some years previously, partly because of her youth but also because her death could have been prevented - she thought menstruation was a disease.
Chad realised that taboo issues caused ignorance which led to distress and so he set up a drop-in centre.
Demand was so great that he asked for volunteers to make tea for those kept waiting, and found that it was enough for people to talk to the 'tea ladies'.
These volunteers were dubbed The Samaritans by the Daily Mirror.
Taunton and Somerset branch, at 16 Wood Street, Taunton, and the ten other branches in the West region, are looking ahead to the movement's golden jubilee next year.
To that end, members of the Friends of the Samaritans are always open to offers to raise funds - it costs £25,000 a year to run the Taunton centre alone.
The Samaritans not only listen, they speak too - a team of Taunton volunteers visits schools and organisations to give talks, making an average of 12 presentations a year.
Another team visits inmates and supports The Listeners at Shepton Mallet prison.
Alison said: "I hope that all who may wish to contact us in the future will find the strength to do so.
"Our local number is 01823 288998 but we also share the manning of the single national number 08457 909090 chargeable at local call rates - we pick up the extra cost if the call originates outside our area.
"We also accept visitors to our centre every day between 9am and 9pm and have a steady correspondence demand.
"Shortly, we will be involved in the email service offered by The Samaritans via [email protected]">[email protected].
"May I take this opportunity to send best wishes to all those listening and fundraising volunteers without whom we could not operate our unique service.
"We are also grateful to those organisations and individuals who have helped us in any way during the last 12 months and trust that the service we have provided has justified their continued support."