Some people feel there are too many things to celebrate these days. Do you think we're overdoing it?

A natural way to answer

I'm in two minds about it. On one hand, more reasons to gather can't be a bad thing. On the other, when celebrations come thick and fast, they start to feel like an obligation rather than a joy, and the meaning gets watered down.

Key phrases to use

• lose its shine — to become less appealing or special over time“Even a great job can lose its shine.”
• mean something — to have real value, importance or emotional weight“I want gifts that actually mean something.”
• watered down — made weaker or less meaningful, often by overuse or compromise“The tradition has been watered down over the years.”
• look forward to — to feel pleased and excited about something coming up“I always look forward to the summer festival.”