December 8: "Holmes realizes that he doesn't dislike Christmas as much as he used to." (from I'm Aleine Skyfire)
Holmes
I had never been one for merrymaking during the Christmas season. In many years past, I was always bored by the decorating, annoyed by the caroling, and frustrated by others' insistence that I "have some Christmas cheer".
But during the first Christmas after my supposed death at the Reichenbach Falls, I began to rethink my views. Much to my surprise, I found myself missing the decorations Mrs. Hudson and Watson would always insist we use to "brighten up" our old rooms.
When the second Christmas arrived, I was even missing the carolers who would sing in the streets of London. It had been far too long since I had heard a Christmas carol sung, or at least one sung in English.
By the third Christmas, I began to think that if I were back in London with my dear old Watson, I would be much cheerier than I ever had been during prior Christmases.
It was much to Watson's surprise, therefore, that during the first Christmas season after my return that I took part in the decorating, I organized our little band of Baker Street Irregulars into a caroling party, and even went so far as to learn several joyful little Christmas carols on my violin to play for Watson and Mrs. Hudson.
"I never expected this of you!" said Watson, glowing with delight, once I had finished my final violin solo on that Christmas Eve. "That is to say, I am very glad, but you have never been in such high spirits during Christmases in years past."
I gave a shrug, pleased to see my dear friend so cheerful. "No indeed. I believe the past three Christmases gave me a tad more appreciation for such things."