Christmas always comes early for Nicky Lane and her family. By mid-November, their home is transformed into a full (jingle) bells and whistles winter wonderland.

As I step across the threshold, adorned with festive lights, I can hear Bing Crosby crooning along to White Christmas in the background and I spy a plate of mince pies and brandy butter on the kitchen table.

There are scented candles burning, and every room of the house in Queen’s Park Avenue, Bournemouth, boasts a Christmas display to rival that of Harrods.

No wonder Nicky, a mother of two daughters, Maddie and Mackenzie, who works as a part-time teaching assistant, is known as Mrs Christmas by her friends.

She married her husband Paul in Lapland on Boxing Day. She has a Huskie called Blizzard and three little dogs called Santa, King Wenceslas and Lord Nutmeg.

“I love Christmas. We start listening to Christmas music in the car and at home as soon as Halloween is over,” she says.

“We have a cupboard just for Christmas movies. Every weekend coming up to Christmas we watch one. Our favourites are It’s A Wonderful Life, Holiday Inn, White Christmas and Preacher’s Wife.

“All the family is obsessed with The Snowman story. Mackenzie listens to the audio CD every night at bedtime in the run-up to Christmas. We even have a copy in the car – every child should have one!

In 2002, Nicky started collecting pieces from The Snowman range, which are now on display in a large glass cabinet.

“I’ve lost count of how many pieces I’ve got now, but like my snowman pictures, they are on display all year round.”

The family also has certain traditions that are carried out every year. They each have a stocking, Santa always leaves a letter for the children and he has even been known to leave snowy footprints in the girls’ bedrooms.

“Every year the girls go to grandma’s for a day to make Christmas cake and a gingerbread house,” adds Nicky.

“We always troop around the Christmas garden centres in search of that one special decoration to add to our collection and we always go to Moors Valley where Paul makes a wreath for the front door.

“Last year we had my young nephew so we decided we should make our own reindeer food. It took a week. Every day it needed to be stirred and every morning it appeared to sparkle a different colour – so a new tradition was born.”

Nicky adds that she has always loved Christmas.

“It was always a special time when I was a child so I wanted to make sure it is a special time for my family too.

“I still get excited about it now. I know some people think we are mad, but we love it and it makes me happy to see other people enjoy it too.”