ONE of my favourite things about this time of year is The OTT Christmas House.

They say you can tell a lot about someone by their shoes but I think Christmas decorations are a far more accurate barometer - and you've got to respect anyone who can cram the Blackpool Illuminations and a Las Vegas light show into three windows, a roof and a front garden.

At the other extreme are 'The Scrooges', who think festive decorations are ‘ridiculous’.

I openly judge them and the way they ignore trick-or-treaters at Halloween, turn their lights off when carol singers approach and 'forget' about the Secret Santa they got roped into.

But ‘The Fezziwigs’, who are also a pretentious literary reference, are the ones I salute, take my hat off to and generally adore for embracing Christmas it in all its tacky, tinselly glory.

“Look at us!” their lights scream from 4pm every day. “We’ve been put here by someone really fun, who’s too busy enjoying the festivities to worry about the electricity bill! Or the neighbours’ sanity!”

They’re the heroes of Christmas, who make the drive to and from work a bit more bearable and provide frazzled parents with a free after-school activity for the kids.

And who doesn’t love flashing reindeer and inflatable Santas?

I also have a huge amount of respect for them because I secretly want to join them, but as it is, I can barely string one set of lights up without giving myself an electric shock. And falling into the tree. While knocking out the power in the whole house.

I think I’m on my own in the ‘Clark Griswold Slapstick’ category.

But whoever you are and whatever your take on inflatable Santas, I hope you enjoy the holiday - and I’ll see you on Boxing Day.