Feeling Festive

I don’t know why but right now all I want to do is go Christmas shopping. Its way too early to be feeling these first tingles of the season, but I think something is in the air. Arrangements and dates are currently being booked and made for celebrations with family and friends, Christmas lists are being asked for and the shops are beginning to brim with reds and greens and whites. But normally, this isn’t enough to make me intake a happy breath of seasonal spirit.

Usually the first feeling comes on a dark, wet evening as I dash into a store playing those well-known December tunes. The first sound of Slade or sleigh bells jingling along on a track will undoubtedly send the satisfying shiver down my spine, that fun and frolics are on their way. But no music as of yet so this cannot be the reason behind my sudden need to deck the halls. Perhaps it is because I am on count down from work, wishing away the days until all time once more belongs to me. Or perhaps it is because I have been filling my evenings knitting mini Christmas stockings for the tree. It could have something to do with the first taste of mulled cider at weekend, making me yearn for the Christmas Market’s Glühwein. There is every possibility that my attempts to not spend money recently have begun to spiral into a need that can only be satisfied by buying, so birthday’s and Christmas around the corner provide a convenient excuse!

Or it could be the old weather again. Clear blue skies with a breathless cold have seen me wrapped up at all hours of day and night. Old houses might be beautiful and full of character, but damn they can be cold! We have been able to curl on our sofa with the fire burning, hands wrapped around mugs of something warm and tasty, feeling the glow of warmth while the outside blusters and freezes. Dark nights (yes, I know they are all dark, but winter ones are of a certain depth) make me want so much for this coziness; a coziness that makes me think of home and coal fires and hot buttery toast; a coziness that makes me think of Christmas.

As soon as this feeling creeps in, it excites me. It makes me want to go out and buy all manner of thoughtful and personal things for those I love. It makes me want to dust down the attic boxes of decorations and dig through the memories collected within. It is only the beginning of November and already I feel full of cheer – it may only be fleeting, it may be something that continues to grow and irritate all around me by the time December actually arrives. I am sorry to concern you all that the countdown to the big day is on, but I can’t help it. Christmas is a light of happiness, warmth and love in the darkest and dampest of times. I think it is an occasion that allows for early preparation and premature giddiness. I am clearly not religious but I don’t think this need be an issue, it is just a signal of how much my family mean to me and the importance of the reason to be together. I think this is a good enough reason for feeling festive, but I am sorry if you think it’s too soon!