I can never understand the desire to plaster a house in gaudy flashing lights and inflatable Father Christmases etc.

To me, it just seems so very far away from the true spirit of the season. Christmas, from a religious point of view, is about celebrating the birth of Christ and with that in mind extending goodwill to all men and women, and I don't think getting into a silly competition with your neighbours to see who has the most lightbulbs on your roof quite fits with that!

The problem seems to be getting worse every year, too. In areas where just one or two houses would be lit up like Blackpool Illuminations, now entire streets are getting in on the act.

Aside from the grotesque waste of electricity in an era of concern about our environment, doesn't anyone else think that too many people right across the borough are going completely over the top?

I'm not naive enough to think that Christmas will one day return to being a solemn if uplifting all-religious occasion, but I do think that the real enjoyment to be had in the festive season is somewhat diminished because it is now drawn out over such a very long time. This year, in keeping with tradition, my tree will go up on Christmas Eve and be removed on the twelfth night, January 6.

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