As the last bank holiday weekend before the Christmas bonanza approaches, many of us view the prospect with some weariness. While more optimistic souls (and exhausted parents) see the August bank holiday as the last hurrah before the new term and new start of autumn, other people see it as a sign that summer will soon be over, the nights will soon close in, and winter is not far away.

Bank holidays carry a weight of expectation; there is a feeling that we will all make the most of this bonus long weekend, enjoy fabulous outings, participate in convivial gatherings with friends and family. The reality is that the weather is often disappointing, traffic jams are overwhelming and public transport is horribly overcrowded. As with all public holidays, there may be a presumption that everyone else is having a wonderful time and feelings of disappointment and disgruntlement about the mundanity of one’s own experience. It is scarcely surprising that many people who live on their own find public holidays particularly irksome, as these feelings can all too easily become magnified.

There are ways of counteracting these feelings and ensuring that the people you care about do not succumb to bank holiday blues:

1.  Pace yourself
It’s just a long weekend, so don’t go mad and pack it with over-ambitious activities. Make sure you have plenty of down time to prepare for the following week.

2.  Drink moderately
It’s all too easy to throw caution to the winds and hit the bottle over the bank holiday, especially if you’re socialising with friends. But beware: over-indulgence is likely to lead to a crashing hangover and feelings of gloom and depression when it’s time to resume the working routine.

3.  Don’t turn into a couch potato
Taking exercise, even if it is just a leisurely stroll around the local park, will lift your mood and will certainly burn off your children’s excess energy. Remember, well known beaches and beauty spots are liable to be extremely crowded, so if you find that a daunting prospect you might do well to moderate your ambitions and stay local.

4.  Check out family and friends
Before the weekend, make sure that you’re in contact with the people you care about and check that they have plans for the bank holiday. Some people will be happy to sequester themselves away for the duration, others may appreciate a suggestion for an outing or an invitation to come round for a drink or meal.

5.  Don’t overspend
If you’re feeling vaguely discontented about your boring bank holiday, it’s so easy to throw money at the problem, whether it is going out for expensive meals, taking the kids to a theme park, or indulging in a night in a luxurious hotel. Think carefully about whether you can really afford these treats – the bank holiday comes at the end of the holidays, and you may well have already had a very expensive and indulgent month. Regretting your bank holiday over-extravagance is not a good start to September, so consider more creative – and inexpensive – ways of having a good time.

6.  It’s fine to be a refusenik
Some people are happy to opt out of these communal events altogether. They enjoy their own company at Christmas and Easter and steadfastly refuse all bank holiday invitations. They might see bank holidays as an opportunity to do the exact opposite of the rest of the country, eschewing the pursuit of pleasure and instead embarking on a project that they have been putting off, such as decorating, decluttering or digging the vegetable patch. If you know a refusenik, and you believe that their refusal to participate in all suggested social events is genuine (rather than mere politeness), it is only courteous to leave them to their own devices. Don’t bombard them with invitations and suggestions or pay them surprise visits. Trust what they say and respect it – just make sure you follow up in the days after the weekend break and check that the bank holiday has left no lasting scars.

Host a Simple Bank Holiday Lunch

If there are people who you feel would really appreciate your hospitality, you could invite them for a simple summer lunch that will not tax your culinary powers, energy or wallet. If the weather permits, this would be delicious served al fresco, but it can equally be served indoors if drizzle and grey skies are the order of the day.

When you are inviting your guests, you could use the phrase ‘light lunch’ to indicate that they will not be sitting down to a three-course, home-cooked extravaganza – it’s always a good idea to manage guests’ expectations.

Follow the Mediterranean practice of providing a mezze – a mixed platter of bread, cheese, olives, cold meat and a large mixed salad.

Make tomato bruschetta by brushing sliced ciabatta with oil, then griddling or grilling the bread until charred and golden. Rub the bread with a clove of garlic and then spoon over a mixture of chopped tomatoes, olive oil, salt and black pepper. Top with a sprig of basil.

This delicious bread can be accompanied by a platter of Parma ham, cheese, salami and olives. You could also grill slices of halloumi, then drizzle them with olive oil, which you have infused with lemon juice and oregano, before serving.

If you have vegan guests, you could make your own hummus. Simply mix a can of chickpeas, a clove of garlic, juice and zest of one lemon and three tablespoons of tahini with approximately 60-90ml of water and blend. Taste and adjust. Serve with warmed pita bread.

Summer brings a great range of delicious fruits – most people will be delighted with a generous bowl of strawberries or raspberries and cream.

If the weather is kind, you could accompany your lunch with a large jug of simple sangria: mix three parts red wine with one part orange juice and two parts lemonade and add plenty of ice. Taste and adjust the proportions accordingly. Garnish each glass with some fresh mint and a few slices of orange or lemon.

Make sure you have plentiful supplies of ice, sparkling mineral water and a soft drink alternative, such as elderflower cordial or lemonade.