One is the terrible story every year about the pathetic Grinch who decides to ruin someone's Christmas by destroying their lights or decorations.

We had just that story last week, with Rankin Street resident Clare Eastlake telling us she had been devastated to find vandals had cut all her Christmas lights overnight.

It was a miserable thing to do, and we can only shake our heads that someone might have got a thrill from it.

Next we look for the Christmas strike, and just two days ago Jetstar ground crew, baggage handlers and pilots came good on that story, announcing their intention to walk off work in the weeks leading up to Christmas and beyond over a pay dispute.

And as the start of the holidays draws nearer, we'll keep an eye out for a sudden rise in the price of fuel as millions of holiday makers get ready to hit the road.

And finally - in Bathurst, at least - there is the inevitable debate over just how many Christmas decorations should go on display in the CBD, and who should pay for them.

In recent years that same discussion has created something of a rift between Bathurst Regional Council and the local business chamber, so it was refreshing to see this year's decorations start going up without a resumption of hostilities.

But it's hard to imagine there is still not more that can be done.

Bathurst continues to lag behind other regional centres when it comes to creating a Christmas buzz in town, but we have to wonder why.

The Christmas tree in Kings Parade is nice, but surely we can still do better.

There has been plenty of talk in recent times about a Christmas party in the Bathurst CBD, complete with stalls and bands, as a way of bringing the community together to celebrate - and spend.

It would be an opportunity for local stores to open their doors, offer some specials and (hopefully) get the registers ringing in the lead-up to Christmas.

But it will only happen if local businesses and council can work together to make it happen.

It's not happened yet but we'll never say never.

And if it finally does, then Bathurst will be able to claim a Christmas miracle all of its own.