Christmas is traditionally a time for family gatherings, when the house is full of people, laughter and celebration.
But for those nearing the end of their battle with a terminal illness and their relatives, it is an emotional time, made all the more poignant by the thought this could be the last one they spend together.
Balancing festive cheer with the sensitivity of her patients' situations is something incredibly important for Kathy Fildes, deputy sister at St David's Hospice in Llandudno.
Hospice nurse Kathy Fildes
The hospice provides end of life palliative care free of charge to the people of Anglesey, Gwynedd and Conwy.
The centre tries to help as many patients as possible go home for Christmas, but for those that are simply too ill, staff do their utmost to ensure the day is as special as possible.
"If families want to stay overnight so they are there on Christmas morning then they can," says Kathy, who usually works every other Christmas at the hospice and has been there on and off for eight years.
"We have a brilliant chef who does his best to accommodate what the families want so they can have a Christmas meal together.
"We all wear Christmas hats and tinsel and play a bit of festive music but only when we feel it's appropriate - we have to judge that very carefully.
"It might sound strange to say it but it isn't all doom and gloom, we try to make sure everybody has as good a time as possible."
Kathy usually works a late on Christmas Eve and then will arrive back at the ward at 7.15am on Christmas Day. And after 41 years in nursing, she is well used to starting early on a day when most other people are sleeping in.
"The first thing I'll do is have a handover from the night staff and then wait for the patients to wake up.
"We try to be there when they wake and we have Christmas presents for them which we help them open.
"When children or grandchildren of patients come in we try and make it feel like Christmas with mince pies and music."
Even after a day on her feet looking after her patients, Kathy says she usually still has the energy to cook a meal for her family when she gets back from work to her home in Caernarfon.
"I absolutely love Christmas and cooking the Christmas meal and my family are used to us not having it until the evening.
"I usually eat so many chocolates with the other nurses during the day that I can resist Christmas lunch at work so am really looking forward to it by the time I'm home!"
Despite the nature of her work, Kathy says she feels very privileged to work at the hospice as it has so much support from the local community.
"They are so brilliant and often bring in flowers and chocolates for the patients over the festive season.
"We also have carol singers and visits from the mayor and the board of governors.
"I just love Christmas and if I can in any way make it better for the patients and their relatives then that is a good thing."
