At this time of year, every supermarket is bursting with Christmas offers. Three for two, buy one get one free and €10 off a €50 shop to name but a few. We’re stocking up on festive treats and our trolleys are full to the brim with extra cheese and a few tins of Guinness for Santa.

I am doing the very same thing but I also wanted to draw your attention to the very important matter of your medicine cabinet this Christmas because it really is more important than any of the goodies.

What is about Christmas time and someone coming down with a sickness? At some stage, chances are one of the kids will have a tummy bug, temperature or viral infection. If one of your children are struck down with something the last thing you will want to be doing is panicking about getting to a pharmacy while you wait for a doctor’s appointment (if necessary).

I am embarrassed to admit the number of times that my son had a temperature or hurt himself and we didn’t have the supplies needed. When they ran out it was never on my radar to pick up some more because at that point all was well in my world. It’s difficult to fast forward and transport yourself to a time where they will be needed again.

I’ll never forget my son’s first Christmas. He had an infection and between the limited GP opening times and the lack of “supplies” the stress levels were through the roof. I didn’t have everything that I needed and it would have made such a difference if I did. You see, children tend to take a bad turn at really “inconvenient” times. It won’t be when you’re planning to hit the shops and can easily pick up what is needed. It won’t be while you are at a friends house and can borrow bits and pieces. It will be at the weekend when the pharmacy is closed or in the dead of night while everyone else is asleep.

A friend of mine recently said “it’s better to be looking at it than looking for it” and I’ve never really forgotten those words. These days I try to keep an eye on the First Aid Kit as well as ensuring that the medicine cabinet is well-stocked in case an emergency or illness strikes. At Christmas time this is more important than ever.

Changes in routine, diet and even anxiety can be some of the causes of health issues. It is a time where regular life goes out the window and everything is a little bit more exciting, stressful and....different. In the midst of it all, you have limited Christmas opening hours and the strong possibility of bad weather to contend with. Not having the supplies to help your child to feel better will make a difficult situation a lot more difficult.

Here are some of the things I’ll be stocking up on this week to ensure that my medicine cabinet is Christmas-ready. We may end up using nothing but I feel so reassured knowing that if I need them they are right under my nose.

- Calpol and Neurophen (I buy the cheaper generic brands)

- A working thermometer

- A natural cough remedy/syrup

- Snuffle Babe/Vicks (to help with congestion/runny noses)

- Refills for my Vicks/Calpol plug-ins

- A good supply of plasters in different sizes

- Burn plasters and gauze

- Basic Bandages

- Dioralyte

- Suppositories and Vaseline

- Antiseptic wipes

And finally some paracetamol just in case Santa shares some of that Guinness with us parents!