Mark Flanagan is a Christmas Grinch, Christmas hypocrite and trying to change his view on this once joyous holiday.

Do you remember when you were a kid?  The Christmas tree would go up, the air would be crisp and the school would be organising the choir for the old folks. 

These where the days, the days of old, the days of overactive imaginations,  looking forward to the jolly red fat man leaving his presents under the Christmas tree after he has gorged on cookies and milk and his reindeers have had their fill of carrots.

Once upon a youth I was one of these kids, but for some reason as I’ve grown up the magic has disappeared.

The jolly red fat man has become the crowds of the shopping centre and milk and cookies have been replaced by Prosecco and nights out. So, it’s just like any other weekend I suppose.

I think when I was travelling last year, it was the real eye opener for me.

Apart from being apart from my family for the first time in 28 years, I found myself sitting on Bondi Beach, surrounded by people I didn’t know and others that I had only known for only two weeks but in Oz they were my family.

With the sun beating down and the waves crashing against the sand it was weird and unusual as I’m used to the abysmal weather of Glasgow with the horizontal rain pelting off me as I walk up Buchanan Street.

Getting a tan was amazing but something was missing: my Christmas spirit.

This year I vowed things would be different. I’m back in Scotland. The rain is pelting off me again but for some reason I’m happier than ever: I’m embracing the Christmas spirit.

Don’t get me wrong. This may be because I’m swiftly approaching 30 and trying to reclaim my lost youth.

I got my parents to put up the Christmas decorations early, I’ve got myself a few Christmas jumpers, listening to Christmas music on a daily basis and not letting anything get me down.

For some Christmas is a tough time but this year I’m getting my Christmas spark back, reclaiming my youth and enjoying it to the best I can!

Who says you need to grow up?

Becoming an adult was a diversion.

Go back to living like a big kid and I can guarantee you’ll have a lot more fun this Christmas.