December starts today and, with it, the usual hustle and bustle that we all go through to prepare for Christmas and the New Year.

The more the years pass, the more the Christmas period seems to grow longer. Until a few years ago, shops and streets used to be decorated in the first week of this month, while Christmas trees and cribs made their way into our living rooms some time during the feast of the Immaculate Conception, on 8 December.

But nowadays, soon after Halloween and the November mid-term holidays, one already sees Father Christmas figures on display in shops and our roundabouts and streets being decorated with colourful lights.

This is clearly a sign of the times. Christmas, like all other festivities, is associated with a business boom and businessmen try to make the most of a time when people tend to spend more, both on items they need and also on entertainment.

Although people these days do not wait for Yuletide to buy things they need or to entertain themselves, Christmastime does push people to do that something extra or spend a little bit more than they normally do.

That is one of the reasons why no election was called for the month of December. It would have spoiled the Christmas spirit, would have led to a period of tension, and people would not have “celebrated” it in the right way. As things stand now, Christmas and the New Year will be celebrated normally before the countdown to the election really starts.

And probably we will not have to wait long after we clink our glasses on New Year’s Day – and start using the new currency, the euro – before Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi announces the dissolution of Parliament. But no more about the election.

Back to Christmas and, specifically, to the month of December. It seems that this month, although one of the longest with 31 days, passes more quickly than the others. This is largely because we have so many things to do, so many presents to buy, the Christmas lunch to prepare and whatnot.

Many employees also take their last few days of vacation leave during this month too, and it would be interesting to know how many man-hours are lost in leave at this time of the year. It is probable that in December the number of days leave taken is close to what takes place in mid-August.

And so time flies. It is probably too difficult to find a few moments to reflect on what Christmas is all about. But we should all try hard to remember that Christmas should not just be a time for merrymaking.

Most of all, we should also try to remember that there are many people for whom Christmas is not a pleasant time. The 2007 Christmas might be the first they will be spending without a loved one who passed away during this year. Or, perhaps, the Christmas period evokes memories of a past experience that they would like to forget, but find it impossible to do so.

We should respect these people too. We should respect their sorrow and concerns, and their unhappiness even at a time when we think that they should make the effort and smile. We should let them be if they do not feel like celebrating; forcing them to make merry will only make things worse.

Christmas is, after all, a time for giving. And, sometimes, giving one’s time for someone in need – and “in need” includes those who want some form of attention or desire to be listened to – is perhaps more precious than a gift.