Christmas can be a stressful and emotional time. It’s particularly tough for families who’ve lost touch with relatives, or people who live life on the edge and don’t have a conventional family unit.
Video Nation has produced a series of short films for the BBC's Hard Christmas campaign looking at the tougher family stories behind the festive season.
29 Nov 2007 JAMIE Michael and Jenny Thompson 2.14 mins Michael and Jenny Thompson talk about the feelings of loss and separation since their son Jamie went missing.
06 Nov 2007 21st BIRTHDAY Joan Armstrong 3.46 mins Joan's children have left home and although she's enjoying the freedom she's having to find new ways of staying in touch.
04 Dec 2007 FALLING OUT Mike Paganini 2.57 mins Mike lost touch with his family after a fall out last Christmas - now he's trying to rebuild family relations.
06 Nov 2007 WITHOUT KIDS Dom Kingsmill-Stocker 2.27 mins Dom doesn't live with his children anymore and he finds it hard to think of Christmas without them.
10 Dec 2007 FIND LUKE Nicki Durbin 3.04 mins Nicki's 19 year old son disappeared after a night out in Suffolk in 2006 - what she wouldn't do to see him just one more time!
10 Dec 2007 CHRISTMAS FOR CHRIS Chris Coyle 3.58 mins Chris's life hasn't been the same since his Mum asked him to leave home. He hopes this Christmas won't be like the last few.
10 Dec 2007 QUEEN AND COUNTRY Chris and Kevin Wilson 1.55 mins Chris and Kevin both feel empty inside as their son Nick spends his first Christmas on active service in Iraq.
14 Dec 2007 JERONE'S CHRISTMAS MESSAGE Jerone Marques 2.34 mins Jerone finds this time of year difficult. Although he has brothers and a sister his Christmas is often spent alone.
