I’m a reformed Christmas grinch – and here’s why you should be too

There has been something unsettling about November bringing twinkling lights, sprigs of tinsel and photos of people’s pristine Christmas trees.

My daughter has already been to her office’s massive “Christmas party”. Friends are posting pictures of mince pies, festive jumpers, and captions like “watching Love Actually again”. I’ve already seen A Christmas Carol on stage (I’ve been teaching it since October). We’re in the grip of “Christmas creep”. And one begins to wonder: why so soon?

Plainly, we are desperate for some festive cheer. After years of cost-of-living squeeze and collective uncertainty, which the Budget did little to alleviate, shiny baubles and festive songs are small comforts. The world feels heavy; warm fairy lights and the hope of something magical is a balm. But ther