IT'S CHRIIIIIISSSTMAAAAAASSSS!!!!!
So then, another 12 months on and here we are. It's a few days before the Big Fella arrives and the shops have been playing Christmas Carols and Dean Martin (my own personal hero) songs since Guy Fawkes was caught lighting a match.
Every year, the rush for Christmas starts earlier - in fact, every "holiday", major or not, seems to be starting sooner and sooner. Expect Creme Eggs in the shop on Boxing Day...
But are we upset? Like heck we are - it's Christmas, the decorations and lights have been up for a while - in some parts, they've never been down but lets gloss over that - and despite the craziness of Christmas shopping and the amount on traffic on the roads, it signifies a time of fun with our families, a period to recharge our batteries and to make merry.
(Incidentally, we hope you all put your outside lights up in a safe manner and weren't hanging off ladders trying to get the last fixings in your 4 foot high Rudolph's antlers whilst simultaneously telling your neighbours how you are "only doing this for the kids". We know who you are, where you live and the fact that you love the film "Elf" more than anything else).
However, in the midst of fighting pensioners for the last loaf of bread as if the Apocalypse was imminent and the supermarket wasn't only closed for one day, or scrapping over a parking spot after queuing to get into Silverlink for 45 minutes because it seems everyone thinks the shops are giving everything away for free and you must have a Dolce Gusto with 15% off NOW, take this one thought with you.
The real spirit of Christmas isn't about receiving, it's about giving. Now whether that's presents money, time or your affections, is largely irrelevant - it's about thinking of others and not ourselves.
So if there is someone you know who is having a tough time, or is alone at this time of year, or could really just do with someone to natter to, give up a bit of your Christmas to make their Christmas better. Trust us, you'll feel better for it.
And on that note, from everyone here at Dobson and Surrey, we'd like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and Happy New Year.