Opinion: It's time to get into the festive spirit

It's that time of year again - the silly season is well and truly upon us.

But if you were not convinced, you only had to pop into town at the weekend to see this year's wonderful Christmas Parade and Festival.

I personally needed no convincing. I'm what you would call a Christmas junkie.

Come December 1 my tree is up and decorated (I put it up mid-November if I'm being totally honest), Love Actually is playing on Netflix and I am burning gingerbread candles like there's no tomorrow.

And it's not just the big day itself, I find the lead-up just as exciting. The Christmas songs, the rush of shoppers, the green, gold and red trinkets in every store - The whole of December I can't wipe the grin off my face.

But while the gifts, food and shopping are great, what I love most are the people.

Looking around the Village Green on Saturday afternoon, there was not a frown in sight. People were laughing, conversing, helping each other out - it was a beautiful sight to behold.

Then when Home Alone started playing on the big screen, all you could see was a sea of families snuggled up, watching the Christmas classic together.

In this day and age, it is all too common for each of us to get wrapped up in our own little bubbles and forget how easy it is to be nice to one another.

I find Christmas reminds people of that.

I know some people are not the biggest fans of the holiday, and before those people start telling me off for buying into the commercialised, money-making remnant of a pagan tradition, stop and look at the positive impact the season has.

If the holiday tradition is enough to bring back that sense of community, to get people talking and enjoying life's little pleasures, then I'm all for it.

And maybe one day we will learn how to live life like this all year round.