December has arrived as we knew it would, for once the first day of December is a Sunday so the first advent calendar windows are being opened as those who have a Christian faith will be holding their First Sunday in Advent Service. Unusually, the Advent season has begun during Hanukkah and also World Aids Day falls on a day when most Churches are full. There are many other Winter based religious festivals during December. Meanwhile on social media someone I know had the following post on their facebook account:

I’m just going to say it. Sick of the sight of Christmas tree come Boxing Day? That’s because you put it up this weekend. ITS ADVENT!!! NOT CHRISTMAS Apologies, and breathe

Its perhaps a distinction lost on many but the difference between Christmas itself and the period leading up to it in the Christian calendar is as significant as the difference between buying presents and the food and inevitable alcohol, and the time when these things get opened, eaten and drunk.

Outside of the religious traditions, yesterday in Brighton was a focus on Fairtrade shops and related events which seemed like a good start to the season and next Saturday will be Small Business Saturday, and there will be the first of 4 days of free parking in the city. We will discover if the Green Party (and many other commentators) are right to think that this will simply reduce the city to one huge traffic jam, and do nothing to improve footfall, or if as the Conservatives and Labour believe it will improve the number of people shopping. The details of the Parking arrangements can be found here. I suspect the Greens are right on this matter and if we are going to see a change to our parking arrangements, the need for change is probably more acute during the year than when the shops are full. What does seem to be needed is greater dialogue between the Council and businesses.

Last night in my household, someone flicking through channels on the TV came across the first Christmas movie that I have seen this year. Thankfully we moved swiftly on. One of my memories from Christmases past is the collective watching of TV programmes which since the demise of Morecambe and Wise have usually been chosen as something of a poor compromise, with the sound turned up to ensure that all concerned can hear the dialogue. One way of reducing the pain for those who do not need the sound turned up, is to find out ahead of time if your relatives or friends would benefit from a hearing loop in the room where the TV sits. This would be a unique gift for people who are special enough to invite into your home at Christmas. The loop system would continue to provide assistance whenever those same people, or indeed any visitors with appropriate hearing aids wanted to watch your TV or listen to your hifi. In the spirit of small business Saturday in 6 days time, why not contact a small business that can supply and if required help you install this sort of equipment.