Seen from the bus up Regent Street, the webs of lights hanging above road were reminiscent of something, but I couldn't pinpoint what.

Now I've got it: in those of HM prisons with the classic gallery and landing layout, netting is strung across the voids between floors in case of prisoners chucking themselves, their fellow inmates, staff or other items over the railing. It's pretty much like that, but over a street and plugged in to the mains.

If you say 'Xmas' in your head, it makes it sounds like an irritating and unsightly skin condition. Appropriately.