We all know the best bit about Christmas isn't actually the day itself, it's the exciting preamble that leads up to it - where it's all about cramming in as many festive films as possible, shoving tinsel into every crevice of your house and a near-constant stream of roast dinners. That's the bit that should last forever, because it's absolutely ace.

Well, it turns out that people who start those gleeful Christmas preparations nice and early are actually happier people.

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According to psychoanalyst Steve McKeown, people who get in the festive spirit sooner rather than later are generally more excited by life, which obviously is a pretty good thing.

McKeown also reckons the nostalgia that we associate with getting all the classic Christmas decs out takes us back to the days when we were kids - back in the day when we had no work, no bills, no responsibilities, no dramas... times were good.

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McKeown told Unilad: "Although there could be a number of symptomatic reasons why someone would want to obsessively put up decorations early, most commonly for nostalgic reasons either to relive the magic or to compensate for past neglect.

"In a world full of stress and anxiety people like to associate to things that make them happy and Christmas decorations evoke those strong feelings of their childhood.

"Decorations are simply an anchor or pathway to those old childhood magical emotions of excitement. So putting up those Christmas decorations early extend the excitement!"

The nostalgia of Christmas celebrations can also remind us of memories of loved ones no longer with us.

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McKeown continued: "It may be a bittersweet feeling. Perhaps the holidays serve as a reminder of when a loved one was still alive. Or maybe looking at a Christmas tree reminds someone of what life was like when they still believed in Santa."

He said there's even more to it, too. Apparently the people who like to cover the outside of their house in Christmas lights and decorations are thought to be more 'friendly and cohesive' (whatever that means) compared to their neighbours.

Credit: PA

So basically, what are you waiting for?! It's time to dust off that copy of Elf, get some mulled wine on the go and grab those decorations out of the loft - you need to get things looking seasonal AF.

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