Despite the somewhat unfestive reception the Mayor of Palma, Mateu Isern, received when he stepped out on to the balcony of City Hall to turn the Christmas lights on last week from a couple of hundred anti-austerity cuts protesters, the vast majority of people are really impressed with the festive spirit he has helped generate this year. The council has spent an extra 100'000 euros on its festive programme and the centre of the city is buzzing - crisis or not.
And, people venturing into the capital from other parts of the island are amazed at the overall feeling of good cheer and the host of events and markets taking place across the city.
Huddled next to a heater on one of the terraces along the Borne underneath the wonderful Christmas lights, for example, is an experience city folk have not been able to experience before and it is proving a very popular past time this year and is helping to boost business for the bars.
But, do not forget the ice rink, the themed Christmas markets, the live music, the Christmas tours of the monasteries and convents and the small army of Santas parading round the town, ringing their bells, shouting Ho! Ho! Ho! and handing out sweets to excited children.
Whether all this will help to boost consumer confidence and retail trade remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Palma has a spring in its step this Christmas.
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