I wanted to write up a lot during the holiday season, but the ambition just hasn't been there. 2008 has been a great year with a lot going on, so much so it deserves an entry or two of its own to reflect on the months gone by.

As it is still the holidays for me I am making the most of the time I have whilst I have it and making the most of the Christmas surroundings whilst they are still in the backdrop. 2009 is set to be a busy and taxing year for me so resting the grey cells is something I need to do whilst I can.

I make the most of Christmas especially in the year. It gets my goat to see Christmas in general being further treated with a little less respect as the calendars go by. What I mean by that, is that Boxing Day is treated like a bank holiday now with more and more shops opening up and decorations disappear early. These are just a couple of things that annoy me about the dwindling treatment of the holiday season.

Maybe I shouldn't make too much a deal on the decorations front considering what others do with their seasonal bunting is up to them. I just think those who take Christmas Decorations down too early should maybe consider not bothering with them to start with, or maybe celebrate something else instead =)

I still hold strong on the Boxing Day thing in that the UK especially is lacking the concept of public holidays compared to anywhere else. Treating Christmas like a one day thing doesn't make things any more cheerful either, and no wonder some complain about it being an anti-climax. Think… Jesus 'chosen' birthday date at the start, New years in the middle and Epiphany at the end - all marking a fun 12 Day period long enough to have fun with family, extended family, friends, food and presents, the way Christmas is meant to be.

In any case, I probably enjoy Christmas a little too much, but that isn't a bad thing. To me Christmas is an incentive and one of the few good things left in this fallen world and a great way to end the year. Christmas sparks up my artistic and creative side and in that sense it is always a big deal to me. I am not telling anyone how to spend the holidays but I will always say to anyone to make the most of the Christmas period whilst its there even if you do hate it, the rest of any year is likely never as colourful and ambient in comparison.

Next: REFLECTION