THERE’S NO DENYING it: Christmas is well and truly on its way.

Even the most ardent Christmas nay-sayers (also known as Grinches) among us can admit that the season has begun in earnest. Here are the signs that the most wonderful time of the year is almost upon us…

1. The lights

There’s nothing like the feeling of walking down a big street in town and spotting the Christmas lights for the first time, or even just the dressed-up windows in shops.  It’s that the feeling in the air that December’s party season is just about to kick off. (Of course lights are a little less welcome when your neighbour decides to do their place up like an actual light-house…)

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2. Hearing your first Christmas song

Dust off your car manual and figure out how to re-set your radio stations. You need to add Christmas FM into the mix. The opening bars of classic Christmas tunes on the airwaves definitely means the season is just about in full swing.

Altogether now: “SIMPLY HAVING…”

3. Selection boxes on the shelves

Ah yes. The sweetest of seasonal items – the humble selection box. Alongside a tin of Roses, these are the most Christmassy sweets going. They knock Easter eggs into a cocked hat, that’s for sure. One question remains – which bar will you eat first? And which bar will languish in the living room until desperation hits on St Stephen’s Day?

Lee Jordan Lee Jordan

4. Attics raided

It’s almost time to start thinking about getting the decorations down from the attic. The more diligent among us will be thinking about making homemade wreathes with the kids… while most of us will just be wondering if that mangy-looking old tinsel is finally on its last legs or if it’s grand again for this year.

digitalphotographyhobbyist Don't go overboard now... digitalphotographyhobbyist

5. Staying up late (late)

One quintessentially Irish rite of passage in the run-up to Christmas is being let stay up past your bed time to watch the Late Late Toy Show. Picking out all the toys you want to write to Santa about, silent waves of jealousy at the Billie Barry kids tearing up the stage… Childhood magic. Who’ll be the future horologist this year? What kid will sass Tubridy? And most importantly: what toy will every adult watching secretly covet for themselves? (The answer is the electric cars, duh.)

6. Christmas ads on the telly

Admit it: Christmas really begins when those iconic ads come on the telly. One minute it’s the last few minutes of Coronation Street or the X Factor theme tune, then suddenly BAM. Christmas has burst into your living room with the jingling of some well-known bells and the beginning of a hummed chorus…

Holidays Are Coming. One sign that the best of seasons is just around the corner is the arrival of Coca-Cola’s iconic truck. Find out more at by checking out Coca-Cola on Facebook.