Well, it is that time of the year again, when the Christmas lights have been officially turned on.

Christmas music is blaring from shops and the queue to get into the Bentall Centre is ridiculously long before 11am on a Saturday.

For those who love the build-up to the festive season, it is heaven.

But for those who align themselves with Scrooge, it’s bah humbug.

There are even a couple of friends on my Facebook timeline who moan about the fun and excitement but, quietly, I am bursting inside with excitement.

I am one of those people who likes to plan in advance.

Maybe it is because I remember my mum putting up the tree on December 24.

I was so upset and wondered what the point was.

So, I decided when I had my own house, things would be different.

Our home has been organised, parties put in the diary and a presents list written.

Even my toddler now understands that there is a guy in a red suit that has a bag of gifts.

Michael and I did our first bit of shopping last night to get ahead of the game.

Kingston was heaving. In Bentalls, mince pies were on hand, a Frank Sinatra tribute band were singing and shoppers were drinking wine as they bought another gift for a loved one.

We walked around with our arms laden with a few things and bumped into a few familiar faces and, as one of us waited at a till, the other carried on grabbing bits.

It was fun, but there comes a point when you have to head back to the car and decide you yourself need a treat.

So it was time for a cheeky drink to toast Christmas.

It may be a little early for some, but let us all enjoy it – and have a drink on me.