Three icons of Christmas - holly, mistletoe and red robin

Fiann Ó Nualláin is a bit bah-humbug about the tinselly side of Christmas and looks instead to the ancient customs of our forebears — bringing in evergreens to deck the halls and connecting with nature at this time.

Before Santa completely usurped Jesus Christ as the king of Christmas, and brought in LED roof reindeers and plastic elf signs to displace candles and holly boughs, I used to like Christmas.

Don’t get me wrong I’m not against the national grid working overtime to keep your house humming with lights and signs that make Las Vegas look half-hearted.