There has been precious little festive cheer for Montrose in recent years however manager George Shields is hoping this will be the season to be jolly.
The Gable Endies won on Tuesday night against Berwick to end a run of nine games without a victory.
Now, Shields is looking for his side to capitalise on that success when they travel to face East Fife today.
And if any more incentive was needed, the Montrose men only have to cast their minds back to the last time the sides met with the Fifers winning 4-0 at Links Park.
Shields said: “Berwick took the lead against the run of play on Tuesday night so the lads deserve great credit for the way they came back to take all three points and it is the ideal boost going into the game at East Fife.
“They gave us a really torrid time earlier in the season when they beat us 4-0 at home so hopefully the memory of that will spur the players on in Methil.
“To be honest, if we play the way we did against Berwick, then we should be fine.
“This is an important time of the season for us. Montrose have had a poor Christmas and New Year in recent years and we want to turn that around and pick up as many points as possible.”
Shields revealed that international clearance has arrived at last for Polish midfielder Leszek Nowosielski almost a month after Montrose signed him.
The relieved manager said: “We will finally have Leszek available against East Fife.
“It has been a long wait but clearance has finally come through from the Polish FA.
“He did well in three friendlies for us and he has been keeping sharp, training full-time with Aberdeen.
“We have him until January and we will take things from there.”
Shields will be without Stephen Day and Steven Robb who were both injured against Berwick after coming on as substitutes however Alan Campbell returns to the squad.