When me and my son are coming back from his nursery in the evening, we’ve been admiring all the Christmas decorations that people have up. “Let’s go and see that one!”, he says about his favourite multicoloured display. There are twinkling, flashing lights everywhere and they have definitely come out earlier this year. Some are delicate and sophisticated, others are garish and brash but they do all lift the spirits and create festive cheer. I love Christmas and unknowingly, we also followed the trend by getting our tree at the beginning of December.

According to this Guardian article, Christmas has been unleashed early as trees and decorations started springing up in November. Tinsel and lights have been untangled, Christmas hits streamed and bottles of Baileys cracked open.

So what’s the rush? Why are people so eager to get going this year? A lady called Natalie said that they decided to go all out early because it’s been a challenging year. Her children have had to make sacrifices so it’s a way to lift the mood and see out the year in a positive way.

Much of 2020 has felt like a vacuum of time with days bleeding into one another and time drifting. Christmas is a familiar anchor as it happens every year and brings a sense of comfort and security. Rituals, says Dimitris Xygalatas, ‘alleviate anxiety and they help to increase social connection’.

There’s also been a flurry of present buying as many people prepare early with a little extra extra time on their hands and enjoy the build-up. Hazel from Kent says that although it sounds a bit corny, putting up decorations “makes you appreciate your family and your life so much more.”