I love the build up - love selecting gifts for people, trying to buy things that are out of the norm, personalising them, getting the trees up, soft glimmering lights inside and out - love it, love it, love it.
Such a sap I am - I bought a tiny little Santa hat for the cat - all I want is one photograph (I'll rephrase that, one nice photograph) with her wearing it 2 chances of that, slim and bugger all I think!
As for when it starts.... when I eventually walk out of work on Christmas Eve, knowing that I can switch off for 10 whole days and go join my friends for the start of Christmas drinks & fun. No clock watching, no pressures, no real responsibilities: just plenty of time to do what I want, when I want, and with whom I want.
Can't wait!
That's when I have the real big Christmas grin my face.