A Little Bit of Sparkle

Christmas Lights by Debbie Ross

With only 6 weeks to go to Christmas, the commercial machine is already under way: tinsel, decs, gifts, Christmas songs in-store and on the radio and the wheeling out of the Christmas supermarket ads. I’m not big on the relentless drive to spend money over the festive period, but I do nonetheless like Christmas.  Mid -winter festivals have been celebrated for aeons, as people commemorate the worst of winter passing and the lighter days to come. When you’re stuck in the middle of a grey, wet, windy, dark UK December, any glimmer of brightness is to be welcomed. Whilst people in the UK still largely celebrate the religious festival we know as Christmas, the mid-winter festival has a more ancient history and there are plenty of people who aren’t religious or don’t celebrate at all.

My sister suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) along with an estimated 2 million other people in the UK. In Scandinavian countries, approximately 8% of the population are estimated to suffer with it and a further 11% suffer from so called ‘Winter Blues’.  Frankly, anything which brings a little light and cheer to winter’s dark days is to be encouraged.  You don’t have to spend a fortune on presents and food to welcome in some light.  I wrote about ‘coorie’ a couple of weeks ago and that’s one way to help combat the deep, dark winter.  I don’t suffer from SAD, but I certainly get a touch of ‘Winter Blues’ and for me the festivities help.  I enjoy settling down with a puzzle, a hot mulled apple, some music and my husband over the festive season.

I have a set of fairy lights that adds a little red glow to my lounge all year round and I add a tree and more lights at the beginning of December. There are plenty of people who are ‘bah humbug’ about the whole thing - and I totally get that it can be a depressing time of year, especially if you’re on your own. I don’t expect people to conform to any of my ideas and rituals - we must all do the best we can to get through the winter months - and neither do I expect people to criticise me. Our tree and decs go up on the first weekend in December. It’s my husband’s birthday on December 3rd and we developed our own little tradition early on in our relationship. It’s something to look forward to. It’s cheerful. An enclave of anticipation and light in otherwise short, dark days. My electricity usage isn’t extravagant and I would rather go without something else than go without my December lights.

There are people who do all sorts of things you may disapprove of to bring a little bit of joy and sparkle to their dark days. Let them get on with it.  You don’t have to join in. Poor mental health is dangerous and at this time of year suicide ideation and attempts increase.  Some light, some early decorations, some festive cheer  - if it helps someone, then let them be. Bite your tongue. Keep your eye-rolls and judgement to yourself. It does you no harm and may do them some good.  If you don’t want to embrace the lights and the sparkle, then at least let others do what helps them.

Look out for people who might be struggling at this time of year too. Your smile could be the sparkle that lights someone’s day.