OK folks, it’s the darkest and rainiest time of the year. Which means we need bling. Lots of bling.

A visit to the Dickens Fair can help you fill that deep-seated psychological need (I’m sure it is. Really.) for the shiny, the opulent, the over-the-top decorative. This year JK Artistry is offering hand-painted and often elf-bedecked Christmas balls, while Kazue Makita is bringing her exquisitely crafted Japanese-style fabric ornaments.

If you’d like your personal halo to be as glittering as your tree, pick up an African AIDS Angel. These unique ornaments crafted from recycled fabric and jewellery can’t be bought – they’re only exchanged for donations to projects that help Africans living with AIDS.

Or are you the crafty sort, who insists on doing it all yourself?  Melissa Hennekes will be bringing colourful hand-made glass beads for your projects. Or you can pick up some Powertex and make your own waterproof outdoor decorations.

So deck that hall. Or tree. Or bicycle. And why stop there? Soon, I expect to see the local crows sporting shiny gold bow ties. Seagulls with silver crowns. Racoons with beaded red ribbons. Get on it, will you?