THE refrain will be as familiar as the chorus of Jingle Bells. "Christmas," the Ebeneezers will chorus, "comes earlier every year."

That is not true, of course. For years festive singles have been recorded, chocolate assortments created and tinsel-trimmed shop displays fashioned long before we put the clocks back.

Now the Simpsons of Acomb are joining in. They love Santa's season so much, they have already put up the decorations. No harm in that. In fact, in these grim times, their little dose of Christmas cheer is more than welcome.

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, October 11, 2001