I got a phone call today about a job interview scheduled for next week. Although the fact that I still look good, on paper at least, is great news, it reminded me that it is still only half term. With schools shut this week, I've been able to shop, bake, socialise and lie-in guilt free. Even before Halloween was over, it seemed like Christmas was on our doorstep, and not just in the commercial sense. I'm not complaining because I'm a complete victim of the holiday season, from harvest to halloween and thanksgiving to Christmas. I love the lights, the music, the smells and all the traditions the season brings. But what I love most about the season is how so many aspects stay the same year after year, in a world that is evolving quicker than I can handle sometimes. Sure, gift lists change and what is considered stylish might change, but the underlying values remain the same, we eat the same Christmas dinner we did 20, 30, 40 years ago, everyone still displays a Christmas tree even if the colour scheme varies and lets face it, the old songs are still the best. And it all makes me wonder whether one of the reasons we love this time of year so much that we can't wait for our Coca-Cola TV ads and Starbucks xmas cups is that it's dependable, familiar and notoriously happy.