Christmas has hit shops and I couldn’t be happier

GRINCHES can argue it’s a cash grab, but nothing gets me more excited than seeing festive fare in stores and grocery shops. I’d even be keen for it to appear in July, writes Lexie Cartwright.

THE earlier Christmas stock hits shelves, the better.

Sure, people (aka Grinches) can argue it’s a cash grab. But we Christmas tragics see it as a chance to get organised super early and savour the spirit as soon as possible.

Nothing gets me more excited than seeing festive fare make its way into department stores and grocery shops, no matter the timing.

Seriously, I’d be happy for it to be stocked from July. I watched the movie Elf two weeks ago.

Christmas, for a lot of people, is a euphoric time that is too magical to put into words.

At the heart of it, it represents the whole family getting together which I’m sure many of us can agree is a really rare thing as everyone grows up and grows old.

Life is busy. The daily grind, missing the gym for the 34th week in a row, paying bills and doing mundane chores really puts a drainer on your mood.

But any sign of the silly season brings with it a flood of “sentimental feelings” that just gives you a spring in your step.

Any time is a good time to watch festive flick Elf, starring Will Ferrell and Zoey Deschanel. Picture: Supplied

For me, a love of Christmas and the magic it brings is a generational thing.

My nan, bless her Santa socks, is an absolute die hard Christmas fanatic.

She has dressed up as Santa and delivered presents to the grandkids ever since I can remember. We’re all old now, but she still does it with as much energy as she ever has.

Nan is also one of those cringe-worthy Facebook users who reposts the “296 days until Christmas” memes.

Naturally she’s handed over the reins to my mum. We were the family the whole street joked about for putting the tree up in early November and not taking it down until February.

That spirit has not died. Last year, mum sent me pictures of her “Elf on the Shelf” every single day.

For those who don’t know what this is, it is a little toy elf that you “adopt” who flies home to Santa every night to inform him whether the kids are naughty or nice. He returns back to his family each morning and perches in a different place in the house to keep watch.

Here are some examples of her fine work.

Elf on the Shelf making friends with salad dressing. Picture: Supplied

Elf on the Shelf suffering from a sugar crash. Picture: Supplied

So yes, I will be that person who heads to Bunnings to buy Christmas lights this weekend, and I will proudly strew them across my balcony like it’s Christmas Eve night.

I will get my special advent calendar from Coles, and I will resurrect the Michael Buble Christmas album and play it while I cook dinner.

Why? Because it makes me happy, even if it is all just frosting to hide the fact it’s only September.

And for the cynics out there who think I’m crazy, I hope you enjoy your sack of coal this year.

Lexie Cartwright is a journalist for News Corp.

@lexiecartwright

Originally published as Christmas has hit shops and I couldn’t be happier