Humbug to the scrooges – I wish it could be Christmas everyday

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!

While that last of these famous, festive phrases might not necessarily be true, depending on your country's geopolitical situation, I wish it could be Christmas everyday and here's why you shouldn't listen to the scrooges who say otherwise.

That's right, thanks to the cyclic nature of our calendar, IT'S CHRISTMAS - as Slade would say - again, and it couldn't have come any sooner.

If it were up to me, we'd be hanging wreaths on doors, hoisting up Christmas trees and decorating the dark with fairy lights from the very first day of November, and nothing would come down until the last day of January.

This may sound like pure hedonistic indulgence into a period of the year which has become increasingly characterised in recent decades by its commercialisation, but focusing purely on this glass-half empty outlook is the embodiment of bah humbug.

Come on, step into Christmas.

Everything looks better

Now, this is especially true of the rain-sodden, concrete-dotted social experiment of an island we call home.

Let's be honest, unless you live in a large or historic city like London, Edinburgh or York, most British towns look like they've all been poured from the same subtopian mould.

So, what a fantastic opportunity it is to decorate our high streets and neighbourhoods with bright lights, signs and tinsel to fend off the encroaching darkness as we delve deeper into winter.

With an average winter day in the UK experiencing just eight hours of daylight, or just one third of the day, why not extend the lifespan of decorative lights from the moment the clocks go back until the dawn of spring.

There's more to do

Another great aspect to Christmas is just how much more stuff there is to do, notably once again in the average British town.

Normally, residents of suburban sprawl can choose between aimlessly wandering around the town or feeding ducks - more likely seagulls - in a park.

However, with Christmas there is so much more on offer!

Think about all the fantastic activities from nativity plays to ice skating to Christmas markets, all on your doorstep!

Meanwhile, you also get the rare privilege of seeing the ceremonial town mayor in the wild as they brave the cold to switch on some festive lights clad in their heavy chains.

People are happier

This is a big one.

People are pretty miserable these days, who can blame them either.

Every day there seems to be more and more bad news, economic decline or culture wars playing out across the country, and it's quite frankly depressing.

Fortunately, the hard numbers suggest society might be a little more bearable when it's Christmas time, with YouGov data from last year suggesting people are 7.8 per cent happier during the period.

Now, you might not think 7.8 per cent is a lot, but if your mortgage rate went up that much you'd be fuming.

Imagine then if people were 7.8 per cent happier not just for one day, but for three entire months, that's 709.8 per cent more happiness! - maths was never my strong point.

Family and friends reunited

Another big-hitter.

Yes, families can be tough work, but there's no denying that this is the best part of Christmas.

While arguments about Reform, Labour and the Greens - how times change - are likely to provide the customary Christmas dinner edition of Question Time, plenty of laughs will be had too.

Board games, bar drinks and a gluttonous amount of delicious food is the order of the season and being in good company makes it even better.

Very few occasions have the pull that Christmas does, often reuniting the most far-flung relatives in their home towns.

This part is satisfyingly reminiscent of the nativity story which saw Mary and Joseph return to Joseph's home town of Bethlehem, albeit by the command of a slightly tyrannical king.

YouGov data shows that 35 per cent of Brits say that spending time with loved ones is their favourite part of Christmas.

Now, just imagine you could do that, not just for one day, but for three entire months!

A deeper feeling

While all the above is great, really the best thing about Christmas is the feeling.

It's nostalgia, love, hope, cosiness, generosity, good music, corny mass-produced films and great food.

There's a reason why Christmas songs talk of winter wonderlands - not that one - roasting chestnuts on an open fire - seriously who does that? - and war being over.

Maybe we love it because it's about things we don't have, don't see often or can barely imagine.

Christmas is a reminder of humanity, family, friends and giving, regardless of the unending commercial hurricane of adverts and product placements that come with it.

In fact, it's this natural preservative that helps to fend off the mercenary vultures who want to sell you endless spice-scented candles and Father Christmas hats.

If you can separate yourself from the commercialisation of the holiday and enjoy what really counts, you too will wish it was Christmas everyday.

Of course, Christmas is special because of its intermittent regularity, like the World Cup or the Olympics, but a three month period of the year isn't that bad right? That's only one in every four days of the year!

If I had it my way, it would be Christmas everyday.