I’m called basic – but I cannot be shamed ...Middle East

I knew Christmas had officially started in our house when – at 10pm the other night – I was woken by the unmistakable sound of a lorry reversing. At that time, I’m usually dead to the world, with a 4am alarm for my breakfast show on Radio 2. Anything past 9.30pm is basically the middle of the night.

Bleary-eyed, I got up and said, “Sam… who is having a delivery at this time? I’m trying to sleep.” Turned out it was his Christmas food shop, on 26 November!

I went back to bed and thought nothing more of it. Then at 4.30 am, as I tiptoed downstairs in the dark to leave for work, I found the house transformed into a festive assault course. I’m stepping over tins of chocolate, bottles of Bucks Fizz, some Twiglets and a festive biscuit selection. And, for reasons still unknown, one single carrot.

But honestly… moments like that are exactly why I adore Christmas. It is joyfully chaotic, a bit ridiculous – and in our house, it starts early.

I’ve always been like this. Call me basic, call me common – etiquette coach William Hanson certainly has (he left me a voicemail after my Christmas tree post on my socials, saying as much) – but I LOVE Christmas. I love everything about it: the lights, the films, the sparkling excess of it all. I’ve never understood people who wait until December to get ready. Back on Radio 1, I once played the first Christmas song in August, which I’ll admit now was pushing it slightly. But I’m always the first out of my friendship group to get the tree up and start decorating.

The difference, these days, is that I’m no longer alone in my enthusiasm. I somehow miraculously ended up marrying someone who loves Christmas almost more than I do. Sam actively encourages me to lean into it all, which is why the decorations get more “extra” every year. If you see an enormous bow that looks like it’s about to take flight, chances are we bought it.

Not everyone approves. In his voicemail, Hanson told me that putting your tree up in November makes you “as common as muck.” He also offered an unsolicited critique of my decorations, saying they were a “crime against baubles”. Loving that festive spirit, William!

But honestly, I think people need joy earlier than they admit. The mornings are pitch black, the afternoons disappear by 4pm – and with my work schedule, I barely see daylight. I might as well live in Norway. The lack of Vitamin D is real – so yes, the inside of my house is bright (really, really bright) and it boosts my mood every time I walk through the door.

Psychologists say people who decorate early tend to be happier. It taps into nostalgia and distracts us from everyday life. I don’t know about the science, but I do know that putting the decorations up makes me feel warm and cheerful – and that’s enough for me.

Part of the reason I start so early now is panto. This is my third year doing it and I love every second, but it means you don’t actually get a Christmas (in the traditional sense). You’re doing two or three shows a day – dressed as Mayor Mills in Jack and the Beanstalk at The Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe, in my case – while everyone else is out shopping, meeting friends and eating mince pies. You do get to live Christmas vicariously through everyone who comes to watch – their excitement becomes yours – but you only get Christmas Day off. So, I need my early start to feel I’ve had a proper festive season of my own.

In our house, November is the latest Christmas is allowed to start – and I actually think the UK starts far too late. We don’t have Thanksgiving; Halloween ends and it’s suddenly freezing and dark by teatime, so why not get the decorations down from the loft? What are we waiting for?

On the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, we coined the term “Christmas Creepers” for the people who go early, like me. And trust me, I’m not alone. When we asked listeners for their thoughts, about 70 per cent said they fully support early decorating. Of course, you get the occasional text asking “why are you playing Christmas songs already”, but the majority love it. Some listeners admitted they’ve been having a nightly Baileys “to ease into the season” – or, as we call it on air, “Irish Christmas Milk.”

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Social media has its opinions, too. When I posted a photo of my tree, people commented, “is that bow big enough?” and, “is there a tree behind that bow?” – because yes, bows are big this year. Alex Jones from The One Show messaged instantly wanting to know where I got mine, and I sent her the link. Us Christmas Creepers look out for each other!

Beyond the lights and the silliness, there’s something else I love: giving gifts. I take ages choosing them. I research properly, think about what each person would love and imagine their reactions. It’s my favourite part of the whole season.

Call me basic, call me common, call me a full-blown Christmas Creeper. I don’t care. I unashamedly adore Christmas. Right, I’m off to B&M to buy more lights. But even I draw the line at tinsel!

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