Christmas excitement and meltdowns

[Lifestooshort1542]

How is everyone coping with the Pre Christmas excitement and the meltdowns that come with it?!
Went to a shop today and DS 3.5 kicked off because he wanted a toy shark (it was only a couple of quid but it's not the point) I explained that it's nearly Christmas so we could put it on his list. He had a paddy in the shop. Then soon got over it.
It got me thinking that it must be such an overwhelming time for them, all the excitement and Christmas stuff going on and their little emotions are all over the place.
Any thoughts or similar experiences?

I used to go out of my way to keep things calm.

No over-mentioning of Christmas, no decorating the house until the last day of term etc. I'm sure it helped, though at primary normally the last few weeks get crowded with Christmas activity.

NT kids can manage OK if parents don't egg them on, the kids with autism that I know often find December very difficult.

We're doing ok so far but last year Christmas Day was seriously hard work (DS was nearly 4, now nearly 5).

For some reason exciting things bring out his inner demon child.